Seoul: Ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon announced on Wednesday that he has formally requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to leave the party due to the recent martial law controversy. This request was conveyed to both the prime minister and the presidential chief of staff. According to Yonhap News Agency, Han Dong-hoon mentioned to reporters that he communicated this request during a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other presidential officials earlier in the day. The request comes amid heightened political tensions following President Yoon's martial law declaration, which was quickly annulled by the National Assembly. In response to the unfolding situation, the PPP convened an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers to deliberate on subsequent actions relating to the president's martial law decision. During this meeting, discussions centered on several critical issues, including the possibility of President Yoon's defection, a mass resignation by the Cabinet, and the potential dismissal of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, as per statements from PPP officials. While consensus was reportedly reached concerning the mass resignation and the dismissal of the defense minister, the PPP lawmakers remained divided on the matter of President Yoon's defection from the party. The president initially declared martial law on Tuesday night, citing what he described as the opposition's "anti-state activities" that were allegedly hindering government functions. However, the martial law order was retracted hours later following the National Assembly's vote for its termination. In a parallel development, the main opposition Democratic Party has taken a significant step by submitting motions to impeach both President Yoon and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun over the martial law incident.