On Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol made a national address regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in response to the ongoing crisis. President Yoon emphasized his commitment to fairness whether facing impeachment or investigation, dismissing the prosecutor’s allegations of rebellion and asserting that martial law is a legitimate method of governing the country. He vowed to stand firm in his position until the end.
President Yoon delivered his speech on national television before the Democratic Party presented a new motion for impeachment to the parliament.
Since taking office, Yoon stated that he has never prioritized his reputation, term, or position. He reiterated that he had no need to fight against forces disrupting the constitutional order just to retain his presidency, and there was no necessity to declare a state of emergency.
Questioning the opposition party’s motives for impeaching him, President Yoon accused them of attempting to rescue their leader Lee Jae-myung from a potential conviction and to advance the upcoming elections. He condemned the opposition party for jeopardizing the national system to evade their own issues, describing their actions as the real disruption of the constitutional order.
“I will fight to prevent those forces and criminal organizations that threaten the future of the Republic of Korea and paralyze the government,” Yoon Suk-yeol continued, questioning the opposition’s depiction of martial law as an act of rebellion.
President Yoon stressed that he would not shy away from legal and political responsibilities related to the state of emergency declaration, emphasizing that martial law is a governance measure and not subject to prosecution, nor does it constitute a rebellion.
“Whether facing impeachment or investigation, I will confront them fairly,” President Yoon declared, pledging to fight alongside the people until the very end.
He explained that around 300 soldiers were stationed at the parliament to maintain order, not to dissolve or paralyze it.
President Yoon’s declaration of martial law was intended as a warning to the Democratic Party, labeling them as “anti-national forces” and accusing them of turning the parliament into a “monster that disrupts the constitutional order of freedom and democracy.” He pointed out the opposition’s attempts to impeach senior officials, disrupt next year’s government budget, and show sympathy towards North Korea or adopt policies favorable to North Korea.
President Yoon expressed his apologies to the people who might have been alarmed or unsettled by the state of emergency declaration, reaffirming his loyalty to the people.
Kim Min-seok, head of the Democratic Party’s task force, promptly refuted Yoon’s statements, accusing him of inciting far-right supporters to launch violent riots in support of him. He characterized Yoon’s remarks as “extreme delusions” and as a “declaration of war against the people.”
Kim Min-seok stated that the Democratic Party would continue its efforts to pass the motion for Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment on Saturday.
Last week, the impeachment motion failed as all lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote.
The Democratic Party and other small opposition parties in parliament hold a combined total of 192 seats, still 8 votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for impeachment.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3 broke a more than 40-year taboo on implementing martial law in South Korea, with the last instance in the 1980s.
Despite the short duration of Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law order, lasting for only six hours without significant violence or casualties, it sparked chaos in the Korean political landscape and large-scale protests demanding Yoon’s resignation.
There are now internal divisions within the People Power Party.
When Han Dong-hoon characterized Yoon Suk-yeol’s statements as “treasonous testimony” during an internal party meeting, Yoon Suk-yeol’s delegates vehemently objected, mockingly rebuking Han Dong-hoon and demanding that he cease speaking.