Ex-President Moon says Yoon's impeachment can no longer be avoided

Former President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday his successor Yoon Suk Yeol cannot avoid impeachment, noting the urgent need for a "legitimate" acting head of state to conduct diplomacy and control the military.

Moon made the remarks on his Facebook page amid growing calls for President Yoon's ouster after a parliamentary impeachment vote failed Saturday over his surprise declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.

"Impeachment has become a path that cannot be avoided," he said. "The only way for an orderly removal would be following the people and the constitutional process."

Moon said it was "urgent" to have a legitimate acting president, citing the need to have a figure to conduct summit diplomacy and saying it would not be possible to normally control the military in the event of a security crisis.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is set to introduce a new impeachment motion against Yoon later in the day over his martial law declaration, just days after he survived the first impeachment vote. (Yonhap)