South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol accused the opposition of trying to paralyze his administration and siding with North Korea in a defiant speech Thursday as the chief of his own party called for his impeachment.

South Korea’s ruling party has thrown its support behind attempts to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated decision to declare martial law that sparked a political crisis and widespread public anger in the country.

He also called for the convening of an ethics committee to consider whether to demand Yoon's departure from the party.