Following his failed attempt to impose martial law in South Korea late on December 3, and amid the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) condemning Yoon’s initial declaration as "insurrectionary behaviour", an impeachment motion has now been launched against the president.

A vote on the impeachment must take place within 72 hours of the motion being initiated.

"We can no longer allow democracy to collapse. The lives and safety of the people must be protected," Democratic Party's central committee member Kim Yong-jin was reported as saying by the BBC.

The DPK also named Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min as "key participants" in the imposing of martial law, calling for their prosecution alongside the president.

However, Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) has said they will oppose the impeachment according to reports by Korea’s Yonhap news agency. This early claim of support was evident in the early hours of December 5 when PPP members en-masse refused to attend a National Assembly sitting at which the motion was officially introduced.

For the motion to pass under Korean law, at least two-thirds of lawmakers must support it.

On the whole, Korea as a functioning state has carried on as normal since the president declared, then soon after cancelled, the martial law order. However, protests are taking place outside government offices and crucially the country’s largest labour union, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, has said it will go on an indefinite strike until the president steps down.