Distressed, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his contentious declaration of martial emergency last week, arguing that it was necessary to safeguard the country’s democracy and offset the rising political might of the opposition.
In a surprising broadcast speech, Yoon asserted that the martial emergency proclamation was a required legal action to “prevent the collapse” of South Korea’s democracy and opposed what he said was a “parliamentary dictatorship” headed by opposition forces. His defence emerged amid growing pressure from opposition MPs trying to impeach him and public demonstrations calling for his dismissal.
Why Did Yoon Dedicate Fighting "To the End"?
“I will stand firm whether I’m impeached or investigated,” Yoon declared during his speech. “I will fight right to the last.”
Yoon said he would not resign despite significant obstacles to his presidency, including a vote on a second impeachment set for Saturday, and that he was ready to face any political conflict, including the possible impeachment procedures. His comments emphasized his will to remain in office in front of a progressively hostile political environment.
With numerous vital members of his government banned from leaving the nation, Yoon and his supporters have been under inquiry for alleged rebellion. But the president has angrily disputed that his martial law system was meant to be used for government upheaval, blaming his political rivals for creating “false incitement” against him.
Regarding Yoon Denies Allegations of Insurrection?
Emphasizing that his efforts were meant to protect the public and safeguard democracy from what Yoon saw as a dangerous opposition movement, he said, “The opposition is now creating false narratives, spreading lies to undermine my government.”
In his first public comments since apologizing over the weekend, Yoon reaffirmed his argument that martial law was required to prevent the opposition from acquiring too much influence. He underlined that the choice was made considering the nation’s most significant interests and that he would bear full responsibility for any political or legal consequences of the action.
Yoon said, addressing the country from the presidential office, “I will not avoid my legal and political responsibilities.”
Yoon Among Political Turmoil and Impeachment: What Will Happen?
When members of Yoon’s ruling party boycotted the vote last weekend, opposition MPs’ impeachment effort failed. Notwithstanding this defeat, opposition leaders intend to call another impeachment vote on Saturday, with some threatening to continue the process every week until Yoon is removed from office.
Yoon’s party had sought to get the president to voluntarily resign instead of facing impeachment. But soon before Yoon’s broadcast speech, party official Han Dong-hoon appeared on TV, saying it was abundantly evident the president would not be resigning. In the forthcoming impeachment vote, Han urged party members to support Yoon’s dismissal.
“We have to act forcefully to remove a president who has lost the confidence of the National Assembly and the people,” Han added.
In Yoon's impeachment, what part will the constitutional court play?
If the impeachment bill passes by South Korea’s parliament on Saturday, the matter will be sent to the nation’s constitutional court, where a trial will occur. If Yoon is permanently kicked from office, a two-thirds majority of the court must uphold the impeachment ruling.
Since the opposition’s landslide victory in the April general elections left his government essentially helpless, Yoon has been generally seen as a lame-duck president. With little legislative power, Yoon’s government has been constrained to reject opposition-proposed legislation, creating a political deadlock.
How did Yoon accuse those sympathetic to North Korea of undermining his government?
Yoon also used his address to charge supporters of North Korea for trying to undermine his rule. Along with his political rival, he said these people had helped to undermine his government and throw South Korea off-balance.
The imposition of martial law on December 3 stirred a political storm, with demonstrators clashing with security personnel outside the National Assembly. Legislators swiftly rushed to revoke the martial law order hours after the declaration, which caused Yoon to retract it soon.
Why Did Unrest Last After Yoon Pulled Martial Law?
The removal of martial law did not much subdue the political unrest in South Korea. Since then, big demonstrations and strikes calling for Yoon’s impeachment and office removal have erupted. On Wednesday, the presidential office itself was invaded as part of various investigations into allegations of treason and revolt against the president and several of his associates.
Yoon’s government faces several legal challenges, and the country remains uncertain while it balances political factions.
What followed the suicide attempt of the ex-defence minister?
Tragically, former defence minister Kim Yong-Hyun tried suicide while under custody on Tuesday after accepting responsibility for the martial law order’s implementation. Kim, under investigation, is said to be in stable condition, yet the incident has heightened the already sensitive environment surrounding the divisive decision taken by the president.
The political drama in South Korea continues without an obvious conclusion as Yoon’s presidency teeters on the brink. The result of the Saturday impeachment vote might prepare the ground for even more fierce political conflicts in the coming weeks and months.
