South Korea’s Yoon Claims Martial Law Declared to Block Democratic Party’s Impeachment Push

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly stated that he had done nothing wrong in declaring martial law on Tuesday night, emphasizing that the decision was made to counter what he described as reckless impeachment attempts by the Democratic Party.

According to a report by the Chosun Ilbo on Thursday, People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong Hoon, floor leader Chu Kyung Ho, and Prime Minister Han Duck Soo met with Yoon on Wednesday to discuss measures to address the fallout from the martial law incident but failed to conclude.

Han Dong Hoon, Chu Kyung Ho, and Han Duck Soo discussed with senior presidential aides, including Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin Seok, at the Prime Minister’s residence in Samcheong-dong on Wednesday afternoon. They later moved to the presidential office in Yongsan to relay demands discussed during the PPP’s general assembly, including a call for the cabinet’s resignation and the defense minister’s dismissal. However, Yoon reportedly rejected these proposals.

During the meeting, which lasted about an hour, Yoon defended his decision, reportedly stating, “The martial law declaration was necessary to prevent the Democratic Party’s reckless impeachment attempts. I have done nothing wrong.” The Chosun Ilbo reported this remark as Yoon’s justification for his actions.

PPP Leader Han is also said to have protested to Yoon regarding allegations that martial law troops deployed to the National Assembly attempted to arrest the Speaker and party leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties immediately after the declaration.

In response, Yoon reportedly stated, “If the military attempted such actions, it would violate the martial law proclamation. Perhaps they acted to enforce the order.”

The martial law proclamation issued by the Martial Law Command included provisions prohibiting all political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political organizations, rallies, and protests. Yoon’s remarks suggest he interpreted the Speaker’s and party leaders’ actions as violations of this proclamation.

After the meeting at the presidential office, Han Dong Hoon moved to the National Assembly to attend the PPP general assembly, held at 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters before the assembly, Han criticized Yoon’s justification that the martial law declaration served as a warning to the Democratic Party, stating, “Martial law cannot be a warning. Such measures cannot be used in that way.” When asked whether he had formally demanded that Yoon leave the PPP, Han replied, “I conveyed this to the Prime Minister and the Presidential Chief of Staff during the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence.”