South Korean opposition leader calls for president's impeachment over martial law bid

South Korea's opposition leader is calling on ruling party lawmakers to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for Saturday.

Lee Jae-myung, head of the Democratic Party, urged lawmakers to protect 'the lives of the people' rather than political allegiances and support impeachment.

Two hundred votes are needed for impeachment to pass; as of Friday noon, seven ruling party lawmakers had pledged their support, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Public sentiment strongly favors impeachment, with polls showing President Yoon's approval rating at just 11 percent and support for his impeachment at 75 percent.

Protests demanding Yoon step down are ongoing outside the National Assembly, while thousands rally in support of him near Gwanghwamun square.

Should his impeachment be approved, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would serve as interim president until South Korea's Constitutional Court rules on whether he should remain in power or face removal.