Press Group Urgent Statement: "President Yoon, Withdraw Martial Law and Resign Immediately"

On the morning of the 4th, media industry organizations including the Korea Journalists Association issued an urgent joint statement, defining President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency martial law declaration the previous day as a nationwide declaration of war, demanding that President Yoon withdraw the emergency martial law and immediately resign.

The Media Union argued that President Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law is an outrageous act against democracy, history, and freedom, denying the half-century historical achievements of democracy and press freedom written in the blood of the entire nation and the spirit of the Sixth Republic Constitution.

They further stated that none of the reasons President Yoon explained for declaring martial law can be grounds for such a declaration under the Constitution, defining President Yoon Seok-yeol's martial law declaration as a clear constitutional violation and destruction of the constitutional order. They also called the emergency martial law declaration a nationwide declaration of war that infringes on the basic rights and sovereignty of the people, as well as suppressing critical media and political opposition forces, demanding President Yoon's immediate resignation.

Below is the full text of the urgent joint statement from the National Union of Media Workers.

In the 21st century, an unimaginable event has become reality. President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law is an outrageous act against democracy, history, and freedom, denying the half-century historical achievements of democracy and press freedom written in the blood of the entire nation and the spirit of the Sixth Republic Constitution itself.

Is the reality of the Republic of Korea in December 2024 in a state of war, emergency, or a national emergency equivalent thereto? Or is there a military necessity to respond with armed forces or a need to maintain public peace and order?

None of the reasons President Yoon explained for declaring martial law can be grounds for such a declaration under the Constitution.

President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law is a clear constitutional violation and destruction of the constitutional order.

The martial law proclamation, which bans all political activities and imposes martial law military control over all media and publications, is anachronistic and unconstitutional, revealing that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has deviated from the normal track and is a dictatorship regime.

The irrational and anti-democratic declaration of emergency martial law is a nationwide declaration of war that infringes on the basic rights and sovereignty of the people, as well as suppressing critical media and political opposition forces. A president who threatens the people with power entrusted by the people must no longer remain in office.

We, the working journalists, will resist to the end alongside the people against the outrageous acts of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to protect democracy and press freedom in the Republic of Korea.

We, the working journalists, demand the following.

First, President Yoon Seok-yeol must withdraw the emergency martial law and resign immediately.

Second, the National Assembly must immediately pass a resolution to abolish the emergency martial law.

Third, the military must not recklessly act under the unconstitutional and anti-democratic emergency martial law and become sinners of history. Fulfill your original duty to protect the people's property and lives and safeguard democracy.

December 4, 2024

Broadcast Journalists Association, National Union of Media Workers, Korea Journalists Association, Korea Broadcasting Technicians Union, Korea Broadcasting Cameramen Union, Korea Photojournalists Association, Korea Video Journalists Association, Korea PD Association