KCTU "Indefinite Full General Strike"
People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy "Declaration of Comprehensive Resistance Movement"
The labor movement and civil society have defined the incident in which President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law for the first time in 44 years and then withdrew it after six hours as treason, calling for his impeachment.
On the 4th, when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared the lifting of martial law, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and civic group representatives held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, announcing a resistance movement to realize national sovereignty and demand President Yoon Suk-yeol's resignation.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference of the Central Executive Committee on the morning of the 4th, stating, "We will launch an indefinite full-scale general strike until the Yoon Seok-yeol regime steps down. We will take emergency action together with the citizens," and added, "Yoon Seok-yeol, a traitor who is destroying our society, must be immediately arrested. All cabinet members involved in the unconstitutional and illegal martial law must be punished."
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) said, "Who is actually causing the nation to fall into crisis and chaos? All citizens are bewildered by the unbelievable situation of martial law in the Republic of Korea in 2024," and added, "President Yoon has crossed the point of no return. We will not hesitate to stand up to defend democracy in Korea."
The Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union stated, "This illegal and unconstitutional declaration of martial law confirms that the president no longer has the qualifications to be president. He is a criminal who committed treason by abusing presidential powers and violating the constitution," and emphasized, "Now is the time for impeachment. The declaration of martial law itself is a clear cause for impeachment. The National Assembly must promptly pass the impeachment of the president who violated the constitution."
Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), is speaking at a press conference on the 4th. Photo by KCTU
Civil society organizations strongly opposed the move, calling it a violation of the constitution and international law. People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, "Immediately dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol for violating the constitution. President Yoon attempted to mobilize the military to invade the democratic stronghold, the National Assembly, obstructing the entry of lawmakers and parliamentary proceedings. This riot, carried out with the purpose of disrupting national sovereignty, is clear treason. Members of the People Power Party who supported the unconstitutional martial law cannot escape responsibility," and declared, "The people now proclaim a full-scale resistance movement to realize popular sovereignty as defined by the constitution."
The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) said, "The president's declaration of martial law appears to be a backlash against the National Assembly's democratic control powers, such as impeachment proceedings against prosecutors, judges, and ministers, and budget cuts," adding, "It deviates from the purposes and requirements of martial law as stipulated by the constitution and laws, and is rather interpreted as an attempt to block political criticism and democratic checks. It is a very dangerous act that shakes the foundation of citizens' basic rights and democracy guaranteed by the constitution."
Amnesty International Korea stated, "The declaration of martial law clearly violates the constitution and international law. A state of emergency must never be used as a means to restrict human rights or justify repression under any circumstances," and emphasized, "President Yoon must clearly recognize his responsibility for this incident and immediately take concrete measures to guarantee democracy and human rights."
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