**”Deployment of Martial Law as a Warning… Minimal Military Deployment at the National Assembly for Maintaining Order”**
In an escalating political and legal conflict, President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces investigations on charges of masterminding a rebellion and a pending impeachment vote by the National Assembly, declared the situation on the 12th as a “frenzied sword dance.”
In a public address, President Yoon responded harshly to the opposition’s accusations of rebellion, questioning, “Who is truly causing chaos in the governance of the Republic of Korea?” He claimed that over the past two and a half years, the opposition has refused to acknowledge the presidency elected by the people, persistently inciting his removal and impeachment, effectively rejecting the election results.
As evidence, he mentioned 178 rallies calling for his resignation or impeachment since his term began, considering these civic gatherings as acts of opposition defiance. He accused the opposition of paralyzing government functions through numerous impeachment efforts of government officials since the inauguration of his administration, labeling it a misuse of impeachment to shield their own misconduct and a subversion of public discipline and law.
Further, President Yoon criticized attempts to introduce “unconstitutional special prosecutor bills” 27 times, accusing the opposition of political agitation and even attempting to pass self-serving legislation.
He described the National Assembly, dominated by the opposition, as not a foundation of liberal democracy, but a “monster” destroying the democratic system, citing this as a national crisis unless addressed. He accused the opposition of threatening national security and public safety, mentioning a recent incident involving Chinese nationals photographing a U.S. aircraft carrier and claiming legislative obstacles to amending espionage laws hinder security.
President Yoon condemned the previous administration for stripping the National Intelligence Service of its counter-espionage powers and pursuing the repeal of the National Security Law, questioning if this wasn’t a move against national security. He accused the opposition of aligning with North Korea on issues like nuclear armament and balloon propaganda attacks, while undermining the government’s response efforts, sarcastically questioning the opposition’s allegiance.
He alleged that budget cuts to law enforcement, including the special activities budget for prosecutors and police, were attempts to obstruct investigations into their wrongdoings, extending to drug and organized crime probes, effectively making “South Korea a haven for spies, drug dens, and gangsters.”
President Yoon emphasized that he would face any impeachment or investigation with confidence and wouldn’t avoid responsibilities related to the martial law declaration. Even if his duties are suspended, he intends to confront the impeachment review by the Constitutional Court and rebellion charges from investigative bodies, rejecting any resignation suggestions.
Despite using extreme rhetoric and acknowledging premeditation with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon regarding martial law, President Yoon claimed limited military deployment was solely to notify the public of the opposition’s actions, not to dissolve or incapacitate the National Assembly. He argued that deploying around 300 non-combat personnel couldn’t control such a vast space like the National Assembly for any significant period without broader military involvement.
The President clarified that the minimal military presence at the National Assembly during the emergency martial law was intended as a symbolic alert of the opposition’s destructive behavior and for maintaining order amid expected crowds following the martial law broadcast, emphasizing it wasn’t an attempt to dissolve or paralyze the legislature. He defended the constitutional necessity of his decision as a preventive measure against rebellion, not as an insurgency itself.
Throughout, President Yoon framed his actions as a constitutional decision to protect and restore the democratic order, stating that his emergency martial law declaration was a necessary and legal governing act beyond judicial scrutiny similar to presidential pardoning and diplomatic powers.
In anticipation of ongoing legal disputes, President Yoon insisted on the lawful nature of his martial law decision, claiming compliance with the National Assembly’s revocation request assures its legitimacy, a pronounced argument aligning with precedent and majority constitutional legal opinions.
President Yoon’s speech seemed to rally for support among extreme right-wing factions, expressing intent to fight legal battles using public opinion as leverage, emphasizing his commitment to defending the nation’s democracy and constitutional order against those he viewed as violators.