President Yoon Suk Yeol maintained that his brief declaration of martial law was a carefully considered political decision.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his attempt to impose martial law last week, pledging to remain steadfast in the face of potential impeachment or investigation.
In an unscheduled televised address on Thursday, President Yoon affirmed his intention to remain in office before a second impeachment vote in the National Assembly this weekend.
“I will remain firm regardless of impeachment or investigation,” he declared. “I will fight to the very end.”
The president attributed his decision to impose martial law last Tuesday to a “carefully calculated political judgment.”
Yoon asserted that he acted “to protect the nation and restore order” in response to the opposition’s attempts to cripple the government.
The martial law declaration was rescinded after less than six hours following parliamentary rejection and widespread public protests. President Yoon is currently subject to a travel ban while police investigate potential insurrection charges.
The president reiterated his accusations that his political rivals in the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) are “colluding” with North Korea amidst Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile advancements.
“I question the allegiance of the party and the National Assembly,” Yoon stated.
He claimed the opposition is “fabricating false narratives to orchestrate the president’s downfall by manufacturing charges of treason.”
The president also apologized to South Koreans “who may have been alarmed by the brief imposition of martial law” and reassured them of his “unwavering commitment.”
Shortly before Yoon’s address, his People Power Party (PPP), which previously blocked the first impeachment vote through a boycott, announced its failure to persuade the president to resign voluntarily.
“We sought an alternative to impeachment, but that avenue proved unfeasible,” PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated. “Suspending the president through impeachment is now the only path to uphold democracy and the republic.”
A Realmeter poll released Wednesday revealed that 74.8% of South Koreans believe Yoon should immediately leave office, either through resignation or impeachment.