President Yoon Suk-yeol Must Resign Immediately for Destroying the Constitution and Democracy!
– Statement by Korea Transparency International –
Late last night, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, marking the first time in 45 years since 1979. However, before dawn, this de facto coup attempt was thwarted by the protests of countless citizens demanding the lifting of martial law and the resolution passed by 190 members of the National Assembly, acting as guardians of democracy.
As everyone knows, this declaration of martial law was unconstitutional from the outset, as it was proclaimed in a situation that did not meet the required conditions—“a state of war, armed conflict, or a national emergency comparable thereto, where there is a breakdown of public order rendering administrative and judicial functions significantly impaired.”
While it is shocking enough that President Yoon violated the Constitution by declaring martial law, what is even more alarming is his mindset and rhetoric. In his proclamation, President Yoon referred to the impeachment of bureaucrats and budget cuts pursued by the opposition party within their legally granted authority and declared, “I will eradicate the anti-state forces, the root cause of the nation’s ruin, who have committed countless acts of evil.”
Democracy is a political system where various factions coexist, navigating conflicts and differences of interest through negotiation and compromise. However, President Yoon has labeled political groups with opposing views as “anti-state forces, the root cause of the nation’s ruin,” treating them as enemies to be “eradicated.” Acting on this perspective, Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo, appointed as the martial law commander, issued a proclamation threatening “punishment” against violators of martial law directives and certain professionals, including medical workers. Furthermore, military units unlawfully stormed the National Assembly, breaking windows and destroying doors in an egregious show of violence.
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s unconstitutional and anti-democratic actions have plunged the nation into turmoil and undermined the hard-won international standing of South Korea. It is time to hold him accountable for his illegal actions. We cannot stand by as an anti-democratic individual wields power recklessly.
The National Assembly must immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk-yeol, with bipartisan cooperation, to hold him accountable for destroying the Constitution and democracy. Furthermore, we urge President Yoon to apologize to the nation and resign immediately before impeachment proceedings begin in earnest.
December 4, 2024
Transparency International Korea Chapter