People at a bus terminal in Seoul watch a TV screen showing South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s prerecorded televised address on Thursday. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law has triggered a political storm. In a prerecorded address on Thursday, Yoon stated, “I will fight to the end,” marking his second public statement since the Dec. 3 announcement that has faced widespread backlash and intensified impeachment efforts.
Amid calls for his resignation, Yoon defended his actions, asserting that martial law was necessary to address a political gridlock caused by opposition lawmakers and to safeguard national security.
On Dec. 3, citing threats from North Korea and concerns over budget cuts to drug enforcement, Yoon deployed troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from overturning his decree. However, public outrage and swift legislative action forced him to rescind the measure within six hours.
Yoon’s actions have drawn comparisons to South Korea’s authoritarian past, particularly to Chun Doo-hwan, a former leader who used martial law to suppress dissent. Protesters and critics fear Yoon’s move signals a regression in democratic values.
Support for impeachment within Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) is growing, with the party leader describing it as the only effective way to remove him from office. The outcome of Saturday’s impeachment vote remains uncertain but is being closely watched.
As South Korea grapples with the fallout, the broader implications for its democracy are at stake. The coming days will determine whether Yoon’s defiance secures his presidency or leads to its end.
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