▲ Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (L) speaks at a rally calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment near the National Assembly in western Seoul on Dec. 14, 2024. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) (Yoon Impeachment) opposition leader-press conference

(LEAD) (Yoon Impeachment) Opposition leader proposes parliamentary-gov't consultative body on stabilizing state affairs

(ATTN: UPDATES with response from ruling party in paras 4-5)

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) proposed Sunday forming a consultative body between the parliament and the government to stabilize state affairs, a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his declaration of martial law.

DP leader Lee Jae-myung made the proposal after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, suspending his duties as president.

"The normalization of the Republic of Korea is urgent," Lee said in a press conference. "The Democratic Party will actively cooperate with all political parties for the stabilization of state affairs and to recover international trust."

The People Power Party (PPP), however, rejected Lee's proposal, noting that it remains the ruling party.

"As the ruling party, (we) will take a responsible role through senior and working-level meetings with the government until the end of the Yoon Suk Yeol government," PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong told reporters.

Lee also said he would not take steps for the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who assumed duties as acting president immediately after Yoon's impeachment. Han has been asked by the police to appear for questioning as part of their investigation into the martial law declaration.

"Too many impeachments could lead to confusion in state affairs. As for now, we have decided not to take impeachment steps (against Han)," he said.

Lee also called for the Constitutional Court to take "swift" steps for Yoon's dismissal, saying that it is the only way to "minimize the country's chaos." The court has 180 days to decide whether to approve the parliament's decision that will either remove Yoon from office or have him reinstated.

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