The vote was the second major impeachment in two weeks after President Yoon’s ill-fated martial law bid set off turmoil. The country’s currency has plunged.

A standoff between rival government forces outside the presidential compound in South Korea is a startling development, even for observers used to the country's famously rough and tumble politics.

South Korea's main opposition party introduced a bill to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday, a day before it plans to seek a vote on the move, which could deepen a constitutional crisis triggered by a short-lived martial law.