Main opposition Democratic Party(DP) Chairman Lee Jae-myung has urged ruling party lawmakers to join a planned vote on a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and vote in favor of the motion. 

Lee made the call on Friday in a statement ahead of the critical vote set for Saturday, saying that history will remember the lawmakers’ choices.

The DP chair said lawmakers, regardless of their party affiliation, "have a duty to respect the Constitution and follow the order of their constituents."

Lee stressed that what the lawmakers must protect is neither Yoon nor the ruling People Power Party but the lives of the people wailing out in the freezing streets.

Regarding the president’s address on Thursday, Lee called it a "declaration of war" to the people and reaffirmed the need for Yoon’s impeachment to end the chaos swiftly.