On December 8th, 573 political scientists both domestic and international issued a statement urging for the prompt reintroduction and passage of a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol, highlighting the need to restore constitutional order.
These political scientists defined the martial law declared by Yoon on December 3rd as “undoubtedly a rebellion,” noting that Yoon used a martial law decree, which does not meet constitutional requirements, to threaten citizens’ basic rights and attempt to dissolve the National Assembly, which even martial law cannot infringe upon.
They further stated, “Yoon must be punished accordingly as it is the desire of the entire nation. There is no other option than impeachment.”
Regarding the governance method of Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling party, and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, they questioned, “In a presidential system, under what constitutional authority do the Prime Minister and ruling party lead the administration? Even if the ruling and opposition parties agree to form a new cabinet, who would accept an appointment letter signed by the leader of a rebellion?” They interpreted the president’s retreat as a ruse, stating that it is illegal and a national scandal for someone other than the president to govern in the president’s stead.
Regarding the ruling party’s opposition to impeachment, they criticized, “The ruling party argues that the potential societal instability caused by impeachment justifies rejecting it, but this is a pathetic excuse that prioritizes the party’s and personal interests over democracy and constitutional protection.”
The political scientists then announced four demands: the prompt reintroduction of the impeachment motion, a public apology from the ruling party for their responsibility in the impeachment motion’s failure on December 7th, participation of the ruling party in voting on the impeachment motion, and efforts toward restoring and strengthening democracy following the impeachment motion’s passage.