South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Defends Martial Law, Vows to Resist Impeachment

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, facing significant pressure, has defended his controversial decision last week to impose martial law, stating his intention was to safeguard the nation’s democracy. During an unexpected televised address on Thursday, he characterized the action as a lawful measure aimed at “prevent the collapse” of democracy and to counter what he termed the opposition’s “parliamentary dictatorship”. President Yoon has indicated he will not resign prior to a second parliamentary vote on his impeachment scheduled for Saturday. He declared, “I will stand firm whether I’m impeached or investigated,” adding, “I will fight to the end”. Both the president and his associates are currently under investigation for insurrection charges, and he, along with several others, has been prohibited from leaving South Korea. On Thursday, the opposition-controlled parliament proceeded to impeach police chief Cho Ji-ho and justice minister Park Sung-jae. These two officials were immediately suspended from their duties. Unlike impeachment proceedings against presidents, which necessitate 200 votes in the 300-member National Assembly for approval, other government officials can be impeached with 150 votes. In his address, which marked his first public statement since offering an apology over the weekend, Yoon refuted claims that his martial law decree constituted an act of insurrection. He asserted that his political adversaries were generating “false incitement” with the goal of removing him from power. Yoon reiterated many of the justifications he presented on the evening he declared martial law: that the opposition posed a threat, and that by assuming control, he had sought to protect the populace and uphold democracy. Nevertheless, Yoon affirmed that he would not shirk his “legal and political responsibilities”. Last Saturday, an effort by opposition legislators to impeach the president failed when members of his own ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. However, opposition members plan to conduct another impeachment vote this weekend and have pledged to hold one every Saturday until President Yoon is removed from office. Choo Kyung-ho, the PPP’s floor leader, resigned following the unsuccessful impeachment attempt. On Thursday, the party elected Kwon Seong-dong, a staunch supporter of Yoon, as his successor. Kwon informed reporters on Thursday that he intends to engage in discussions with PPP lawmakers regarding whether they should persist in opposing Yoon’s impeachment. President Yoon’s party had previously hoped to persuade him to step down voluntarily rather than being forced out. Moments before Yoon’s address, his party leader Han Dong-hoon appeared on television, stating it had become evident that the president would not relinquish his position. Han subsequently urged party members to vote for Yoon’s removal from office this Saturday. The opposition submitted another impeachment motion on Thursday, preparing for a vote at 17:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday. Should South Korea’s parliament approve the impeachment bill, a trial would then be conducted by the Constitutional Court. For Yoon to be permanently removed from office, two-thirds of that court would need to uphold the majority decision. Yoon has operated as a lame-duck president since the opposition secured a landslide victory in the April general election. His administration has been unable to enact its desired legislation and has resorted to vetoing bills put forth by the opposition. Yoon also accused individuals sympathetic to North Korea of attempting to destabilize his government when he declared martial law on the night of 3 December. This announcement plunged the nation into a state of political unrest. Protesters confronted security forces outside the National Assembly building while lawmakers rapidly moved to reject Yoon’s order. President Yoon rescinded his martial law order mere hours after it was blocked by legislators. Since that time, the country has remained tense. Extensive protests and strikes demanding Yoon’s impeachment have occurred, and the presidential office was raided on Wednesday as Yoon faces multiple investigations into charges of insurrection and treason. Concurrently, former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned and accepted accountability for announcing martial law, attempted suicide while in detention on Tuesday, according to officials. He is reported to be in stable condition.