Gwangju Legal Community: "Yoon's Constitutional Destruction and Insurrection Acts... Must Impeach"

Gwangju Minbyun·Gwangju Local Bar Association

Lawyers affiliated with the Gwangju·Jeonnam branch of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society are condemning President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law and urging his resignation in front of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the 4th. Yonhap News

Amid the declaration of martial law for the first time in 45 years since 1979 being lifted after 6 hours due to parliamentary opposition, the legal community in the Gwangju region called for the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) held a press conference in front of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of the 4th, stating, "President Yoon's declaration of martial law is an act of destroying the constitutional order and an act of rebellion."

They pointed out, "Currently, the Republic of Korea is in no state of war, emergency, or any comparable national emergency situation, yet President Yoon's declaration of martial law is an unconstitutional and illegal act that does not meet the requirements stipulated by the Constitution and laws." They also criticized, "The actions of the martial law troops that followed violated the fundamental principles of the Constitution, including democracy, separation of powers, and the rule of law."

Furthermore, they said, "As the head of state who should protect the Constitution and the people, President Yoon seriously damaged the values of the Constitution and trampled on citizens' fundamental rights through the proclamation and announcement of the martial law order," emphasizing, "President Yoon should acknowledge that his actions violate the Constitution and constitute the crime of rebellion, and take responsibility by stepping down from his position."

On the same day, the Gwangju Bar Association also issued a statement strongly condemning "President Yoon's unconstitutional declaration of martial law and demanding his immediate resignation."

The Gwangju Bar Association stated, "Last night, we witnessed the National Assembly, the hall of popular sovereignty, being trampled under military boots just as Gwangju was crushed under military boots in 1980," condemning, "President Yoon's declaration of martial law is a clear unconstitutional act that destroyed democracy and the rule of law."

They continued, "The declaration of martial law plunged the people into extreme confusion and fear," emphasizing, "Our Gwangju Bar Association strongly condemns the unconstitutional martial law declaration incident and calls for the immediate resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as strict investigation and severe punishment of those involved."

They added, "The Gwangju Bar Association will make every effort together with the citizens of Gwangju to protect the fundamental rights of the people and realize social justice in relation to this incident."