South Koreans rallied overnight near the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol calling for his arrest, as authorities prepared to renew their efforts to detain him.
Many worry how effectively the South Korean government will handle the disaster as it grapples with a leadership vacuum after the impeachments of the country's top two officials.
The impeachments of the country's president and then acting-president worsen the nation's political turmoil, deepen its economic uncertainty and hurt its international image.
South Korea's parliament impeached Presisdent Yoon Suk Yeol for his attempt to impose martial, the first time such a measure had been imposed on the nation in more than four decades.
South Korea's parliament voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol as authorities investigate allegations of rebellion over his controversial Dec. 3 martial law decree.
In an address to the nation, President Yoon Suk Yeol claimed the opposition-controlled parliament has been destroying the country's liberal democratic order.
Police, prosecutors and investigators have deemed President Yoon Suk Yeol as a suspect in a rare investigation into a sitting president for possible insurrection charges.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was formally arrested over his alleged collusion with in imposing martial law last week, as authorities investigate whether their acts amount to rebellion.
After President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law, South Korea's parliament will vote Saturday on his impeachment. Yoon's own party chief has called for his powers to be suspended.
In 1980, violent clashes between government forces and pro-democracy demonstrators in the southwestern city of Gwangju created lasting scars that continue to shape South Korea to this day.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.