S.Korean opposition party accuses acting president of 'prolonging insurrection'

“We will immediately begin impeachment proceedings against” Han, Democratic Party’s Park Chan-dae said.

The Democratic Party is likely to propose an impeachment bill against Han on Thursday.

The opposition party’s accusation against Han comes after the prime minister “refused to promulgate two special counsel bills” targeting President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Yoon was suspended from his duties after he was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14 over his short-lived martial law. Han is acting president until Constitutional Court decides whether to remove Yoon or reinstate him to his office.

The opposition dominated parliament had later passed bills to appoint special counsels to probe Yoon over martial law and his wife over graft allegations.

“There is no other way to interpret this than (as a tactic) to buy time and prolong the insurrection," said Park.

Yoon has been charged with insurrection and treason over his failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

The opposition party has also threatened to impeach Han over his refusal to promulgate bills adopted by the parliament.

Separately, Yoon’s lawyer Seok Dong-hyeon said Tuesday the president was “unlikely to appear for questioning” related to the martial law case.

A joint probe team has asked the 63-year-old embattled leader to appear for questioning on Wednesday.

He has already refused to attend questioning twice since the cases were filed early this month.

Yoon has also blocked investigators to search his office while he has refused to entertain notices from the country’s Constitutional Court which is set to hold its first hearing into impeachment on Friday.