(Reuters): Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, is up for impeachment after his contentious effort to establish martial law sparked strong negative reactions both at home and abroad. Democratic Party opposition lawmakers declared that the vote would take place on Saturday night.

Declaring martial law on Tuesday was intended to strengthen Yoon's hold on power by limiting political activity and suppressing the media in South Korea, the fourth-largest economy in Asia and a crucial ally of the United States.

This extreme action, which was a reflection of the country's worsening political turmoil, led to massive public protests and alarmed South Korea's foreign partners.

Lawmaker Kim Seung-won, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, denounced Yoon's conduct and said the imposition of martial law had caused "great confusion and fear" among the populace. In the National Assembly, the party intends to seek impeachment.

A two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament is required for the Democratic Party to impeach the president. Yoon's ruling People Power Party, which is currently split on the matter, must endorse this with at least eight members.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who had allegedly suggested martial law, resigned in reaction to the issue, and Yoon accepted his departure. The ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, was Yoon's choice for the position of next defense minister.

Government sources, including the interior minister and top military officials, have acknowledged that Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun was involved in suggesting the imposition of martial law. According to reports, Kim also gave the order to send troops to the parliament.

Kim Seon-ho, the vice defense minister who opposed the use of force, took responsibility for the lapse and apologized to parliament for failing to stop the proclamation of martial law.

The army chief of South Korea has also offered his resignation, adding to the growing ramifications of the martial law issue. The former defense minister, Yoon, and the interior minister are all under investigation by prosecutors, who have banned him from traveling.

Allies and neighboring nations are concerned about Seoul's political unrest. Amid North Korea's increasing military assertiveness, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced alarm, saying the scenario might "fundamentally change" the region's security environment.

Ishiba emphasized that endeavors to strengthen diplomatic ties between Seoul and Tokyo "must never be undermined," pointing out that the political turmoil in South Korea could have an influence on these efforts.

North Korea, which often keeps quiet about its southern neighbor's internal issues, has not responded to the events in South Korea.

When Yoon declared martial law in the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed that Washington was not notified beforehand. Kurt Campbell, his deputy, blasted the decision, saying Yoon made a serious mistake.

The United States has taken preventative action and has 28,500 troops in South Korea. The commander of US Forces-Korea, General Paul LaCamera, instructed American personnel to submit travel plans to their superiors, avoid demonstration locations, and remain vigilant.

Western leaders had previously had a favorable opinion of Yoon's administration and considered him a solid ally in the fight against authoritarianism in China and Russia. But his recent behavior has cast doubt on his ability to govern.

At home, Yoon has come under fire for his combative approach, characterizing his rivals as "communist totalitarian and anti-state forces," a position that has exacerbated national differences.

In addition, he has been under fire for allegedly engaging in influence-peddling with his spouse, a claim he refuted in November. Some segments of South Korean society have become even more estranged from Yoon due to his strict stance on labor unions.

Yoon's political future is in jeopardy due to growing internal opposition and foreign scrutiny, and the impeachment procedures come at a crucial moment for his administration.