1 of 4 | South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law declaration and vowed to “fight to the end” in a televised address Thursday. Screenshot: South Korean President’s Office/Youtube
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to declare martial law in a televised address Thursday, claiming he did it to save democracy and vowing that he will “fight to the end.”
Yoon accused the Democratic Party-led opposition of conducting a “frenzied sword dance” of obstructionist moves meant to bring his government down. Advertisement
“I will not stand by and allow the forces that paralyze governance and disrupt constitutional order to take over our nation,” Yoon said. “I will fight to the end to ensure that such individuals and groups do not threaten the Republic of Korea’s future.”
The embattled president suggested he would not step down ahead of a second impeachment vote on Saturday.
“Whether they impeach me or investigate me, I will stand up to it,” Yoon said. “I will not evade the legal and political responsibility regarding this declaration of martial law.” Advertisement
Yoon shocked the nation when he declared martial law in a televised address late in the evening on Dec. 3, claiming he needed to “eradicate the shameless pro-North Korea anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people.”
Some 190 lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly and voted to overturn the decree just hours later. It was formally lifted shortly afterward during a Cabinet meeting.
Yoon’s address Thursday was just his second public appearance since rescinding the martial law order. He made a brief apology before an impeachment vote in the National Assembly Saturday, saying he imposed martial law due to “desperation” and pledging not to make another attempt.
The president survived the impeachment motion as all but three members of his ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote.
Yoon’s support appears to be waning ahead of another impeachment vote this Saturday, however.
On Thursday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who led the walkout on the previous vote, said he was now in favor of impeachment.
“I thought that an early resignation before the impeachment period would be a more predictable and quicker measure,” Han said in a statement.
“Since it has been confirmed that the president has no intention of resigning early, an immediate suspension of duties is necessary,” he said. “Now, there is only one effective way to do so. Our party members should attend the [impeachment] meeting and vote according to their convictions and consciences.” Advertisement
Impeachment requires the support of two-thirds of the 300-member parliament. The opposition controls 192 seats and needs eight votes from the ruling party to pass the motion. As of Thursday afternoon, seven PPP members have publicly said they would vote for impeachment this time.
Yoon is also facing massive public outrage over his martial law decree, with protests and rallies continuing around the country. Some 75% of respondents favored Yoon’s immediate removal or impeachment, according to a survey released Thursday by pollster Realmeter.
In his address, Yoon blamed opposition lawmakers for grinding his government to a halt by slashing budgets and launching relentless impeachment investigations of his officials.
“The National Assembly, dominated by the giant opposition party, is not the foundation of liberal democracy, but has become a monster that destroys the constitutional order of liberal democracy,” Yoon said.
He claimed that he declared martial law to alert the public of the Democratic Party’s “anti-state misconduct” and as a “warning to stop such actions.”
Police raided the president’s office on Wednesday as Yoon faces investigations for treason and abuse of power. He has been barred from leaving the country.
Yoon’s ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the martial law plan and resigned soon after it ended, was detained on Sunday. He unsuccessfully attempted to take his own life while in police custody on Tuesday, officials said, and remains in stable condition. Advertisement
