South Korea's opposition leader questions President Yoon's state of mind after martial law chaos

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s opposition leader questioned the state of mind of President Yoon Suk Yeol and vowed to make all-out efforts to get him impeached soon, saying Friday that Yoon’s controversial martial law imposition this week showed he could make other extreme moves on vital issues.

“A more dangerous part of the martial law case is the state of mind of the president who decided to do something that no one understands, rather than the fact that he did it,” Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal opposition Democratic Party, told The Associated Press in an interview.

“There is a high possibility that he could do totally incomprehensible things on security, defense, economy and foreign affairs issues.”

Yoon’s controversial martial law imposition on Tuesday night lasted only six hours before it was overturned by the opposition-controlled parliament in a unanimous vote and was lifted by Yoon before daybreak Wednesday. But the short-lived declaration is threatening to plunge the country into a political turmoil and tarnishing its international image.

In his martial law announcement, Yoon cited the need to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” But it’s still unclear why Yoon pressed ahead with martial law when it was obvious that it would be rejected by the National Assembly. Some experts say Yoon likely hoped to divert public attentions away from a spate of scandals involving himself and his wife.

In response to questions by the AP about Lee’s comments, the presidential office said that Yoon has no problems in handling state affairs and making decisions and he is performing his duties normally.

Yoon hasn’t made any public appearance since he announced he was lifting martial law, though his office said Thursday the president replaced his defense minister, who was believed to have recommended the martial law decree to Yoon.

Lee’s Democratic Party and other small opposition parties are pushing for a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion on Yoon on Saturday to suspend his presidential power and responsibility. They call Yoon's martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.”

But they need backing from some members of the governing People Power Party to reach the two-thirds majority required to pass the impeachment motion. If approved, the Constitutional Court is to determine whether to remove him from office or restore his presidential power.

Opinion surveys showed that Lee, who lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by a razor-thin margin, is the favorite to succeed Yoon in the 2027 race, despite facing several court trials over corruption and other charges.

Earlier Friday, Han Dong-hun, leader of the ruling People Power Party, raised the need to suspend Yoon’s presidential power swiftly, saying he poses a “significant risk of extreme actions, like reattempting to impose martial law." Han earlier said his party would oppose the passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion to prevent social chaos.

Lee said his party has been contacting and persuading PPP members to join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon. He downplayed the significance of Han’s comments, saying it will likely be “his individual opinion.” Lee noted that PPP’s official position remains unchanged.

Han leads a minority faction within PPP whose 18 lawmakers voted down Yoon's martial law declaration together with opposition lawmakers.

Lee said that prospects for the impeachment motion’s passage is “fluid.” But he said the ruling party wouldn’t survive if it makes a decision that goes against public sentiment. A survey released Thursday indicated that more than 70% of South Koreans support Yoon’s impeachment, while another survey published Friday put Yoon's approval rating at 16%, the lowest since he took office in May 2022.

Lee argued that Yoon has already virtually lost authority as president so that he is unable to govern the country and will only likely opt for other drastic steps to avoid crises.

“Thus, it’s necessary to mobilize all available methods and capabilities to suspend Yoon at the earliest possible time,” Lee said.

Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion if the current one is voted down. Lee said public support of Yoon’s impeachment motion would eventually result in making the ruling party back the motion.

South Korean lawmakers hold arms at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korean lawmakers and members of opposition parties gather at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The part of letters at bottom "Impeachment, Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The part of letters at bottom "Impeachment, Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

In this photo provided by South Korea Presidential Office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (South Korea Unification Ministry via AP).

FILE - South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, right, looks on as South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on Nov. 1, 2024. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

People hold candles during a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. The letters read "Resign Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Protesters march to the presidential office after a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A woman shouts slogans during a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun, right, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Jo Sung-bong/Newsis via AP)

South Korea's ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun, center, is surrounded by the media at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Park Dong-ju/Yonhap via AP)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center, shouts slogans during a joint press conference with members of civil society and the five opposition parties to condemn the ruling People Power Party at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The signs read "Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol." (Park Dong-ju/Yonhap via AP)

Protesters supporting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to denounce opposition party's politicians in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The signs read "Support Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)