Opposition accuses ruling party of 'second coup'

South Korea's opposition on Dec 9 accused the ruling party of staging a "second coup" by clinging to power and refusing to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law.

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He plunged the country into political chaos with his attempt to scrap civilian rule.

His shock move on Dec 3 lasted just six hours after lawmakers scuffled with soldiers in Parliament and managed to vote the measure down, forcing Mr Yoon into an embarrassing U-turn.

He and a slew of top officials are now being investigated for insurrection. A bid to impeach Mr Yoon failed on Dec 7 after a boycott by the ruling party, which claimed the wildly unpopular leader had agreed to hand power to the prime minister and party chief.

"This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup," Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said, urging the ruling party to "stop it immediately".

Under South Korea's Constitution, the president remains head of government and commander-in-chief of the army unless he or she is incapacitated, resigns or steps down.