South Korean party leader calls for President Yoon's suspension

The turmoil resulting from Yoon's nighttime martial law decree has frozen South Korean politics and caused worry among Japan, and the United States

- 

South Korea's governing party chief expressed support on Friday for suspending the constitutional powers of President Yoon Suk Yeol for imposing martial law this week, in a bombshell reversal that makes Yoon's impeachment more likely.

Opposition parties are pushing for a parliamentary vote on Yoon's impeachment, on Saturday, calling his short-lived martial law declaration an "unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup."

But they need support from some members of the president's People Power Party to get the two-thirds majority required to pass the impeachment motion.

The turmoil resulting from Yoon's nighttime martial law decree has frozen South Korean politics and caused worry among neighbors, including fellow democracy Japan, and Seoul's top ally, the United States, as one of the strongest democracies in Asia faces a political crisis that could unseat its leader.