On the morning of the 4th, the Korean Writers' Association issued an emergency statement strongly condemning President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law on the 3rd, describing it as an unprecedented incident in the constitutional history of 21st century South Korea.
About three hours after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, at 1:25 a.m. on the same day, the Writers' Association released a statement titled "Abolish Martial Law! Protect the Democracy of the Republic of Korea!"
The Writers' Association defined the declaration of martial law as a criminal act that tramples on the constitution, the height of private power abuse, and a power lust aiming to transform prosecutorial dictatorship into military dictatorship, asserting that "Yoon Seok-yeol, who seeks to annihilate democracy, is no longer the president of the Republic of Korea."
The Writers' Association pointed out that "there is not a single reasonable basis for any of the six proclamations related to the declaration of martial law," and stated, "Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law is clearly a criminal act that violates the constitution of the Republic of Korea, without even needing to enumerate and refute each point." They also said, "Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law is the pinnacle of private power abuse to cover up criminal charges surrounding his spouse Kim Geon-hee and to conceal various corruptions including the ruling party's presidential primary," adding, "Using the extreme measure of martial law to suppress political opponents, trample on the people's freedom and welfare, and perpetuate privatized power cannot be called anything but a despicable means."
The Writers' Association further stated, "The declaration of martial law is nothing but a challenge and betrayal to the people and the constitution of the Republic of Korea, and merely a power lust to transform prosecutorial dictatorship into military dictatorship," and declared, "We declare that he must be impeached in the name of the people and brought to legal judgment."
Below is the full text of the statement released by the Writers' Association.
Abolish Martial Law! Protect the Democracy of the Republic of Korea!
- Yoon Seok-yeol, who seeks to annihilate democracy, is no longer the president of the Republic of Korea!
On December 3, 2024, an unprecedented incident occurred in the constitutional history of 21st century South Korea.
Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law in a surprise nighttime move. The Martial Law Command (Commander Park An-su) announced six proclamations effective from 23:00 on December 3, 2024, "to protect liberal democracy from the threat of anti-state forces operating covertly within the Republic of Korea and to safeguard the safety of the people across the entire nation."
The proclamations, none of which have any reasonable basis, suppress the political activities of the National Assembly, control the media, and instantly disrupt the daily lives of the people. Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law is clearly a criminal act that violates the constitution of the Republic of Korea, without even needing to enumerate and refute each point. Furthermore, Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law is the pinnacle of private power abuse to cover up criminal charges surrounding his spouse Kim Geon-hee and to conceal various corruptions including the ruling party's presidential primary.
Using the extreme measure of martial law to suppress political opponents, trample on the people's freedom and welfare, and perpetuate privatized power cannot be called anything but a despicable means. The declaration of martial law, which has neither legality nor legitimacy and lacks the support of the National Assembly and the people, is nothing but a challenge and betrayal to the people and the constitution of the Republic of Korea, and merely a power lust to transform prosecutorial dictatorship into military dictatorship.
Yoon Seok-yeol should look in the mirror and shout out who is committing the anti-state acts he described as "plotting rebellion by trampling on the constitutional order of the liberal Republic of Korea and disrupting legitimate state institutions established by the constitution and law," and who is ravaging the Republic of Korea and deceiving the people.
The Korean Writers' Association declares the nullification of Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law and declares that he must be impeached in the name of all the people and brought to legal judgment. You are no longer the president of the Republic of Korea.
December 4, 2024
Korean Writers' Association
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