Yoon's address draws criticism

陈小将

A member of the ruling People Power Party rises and protests against party leader Han Dong-hoon during a party meeting on Thursday in Seoul, after Han criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's address earlier that day. YONHAP
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday his martial law decree was "an act of governance" and accused the opposition of paralyzing state affairs, drawing fresh criticism and adding new uncertainty to the upcoming impeachment vote this weekend.

In a televised address, Yoon said the opposition was the one that paralyzed the government and threatened national security. He said the opposition has been abusing impeachment provisions and thwarting him and other top officials since he took office because they refused to accept the result of the presidential election in 2022.

He said he used his presidential powers to declare martial law to protect the nation and normalize the functioning of the state.

Describing the opposition as "anti-national forces", Yoon said he would fight till the last moment.

"Whether it is impeachment or investigation, I will stand up to it," said Yoon, adding he will not avoid legal and political responsibility regarding the martial law decree.

Later on Thursday, South Korea's opposition parties submitted a second impeachment motion against Yoon over his martial law declaration, according to multiple media outlets.

The main liberal opposition Democratic Party, or DP, and five other minor parties submitted the motion after the first one was scrapped on Dec 7 as the ruling People Power Party, or PPP, lawmakers boycotted a vote.

The opposition bloc planned to report the motion to a plenary session of the National Assembly on Friday and put it up for a vote on Saturday afternoon.

Yoon's speech received mixed reactions. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the party's lawmakers should take part in the next impeachment vote to stop further confusion, according to Yonhap News Agency. He also ordered party members to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the expulsion of Yoon from the party.

However, PPP's newly elected floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, a key confidant of Yoon, said the party is still against the impeachment motion but there will be a meeting of lawmakers to discuss whether to change the stance.

DP said Yoon's speech is equivalent to "declaring war on the people and the National Assembly".