Key ally of South Korea’s leader now wants him gone in shift

The leader of South Korea’s ruling party said President Yoon Suk Yeol should be suspended from office quickly, an abrupt shift in stance that makes it more likely an impeachment motion will pass.

Han Dong-hoon said at a party meeting Friday that he confirmed from credible evidence that Yoon ordered the arrest of key politicians on the night he declared martial law. Keeping the president in office risks putting the nation’s people in danger, Han said.

“I said yesterday that I would try to prevent passage of the impeachment to avoid damage to the people and supporters that would be caused by unprepared chaos,” Han said in remarks in parliament broadcast live. “But considering the newly revealed facts, I believe that a swift suspension of Yoon’s duties is necessary to protect the people of the Republic of Korea.”