Gwangju and Jeonnam Sectors Demand Impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol for Constitutional Violation and Insurrection

5·18 Groups, YMCA, Journalists Association, Medical Association, etc.
Civil Society Holds Series of Rallies, Press Conferences, and Statements

On the morning of the 4th, attendees at the 'Gwangju Citizens Emergency National Assembly' held at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, are urging the immediate arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol and the promotion of impeachment. Photo by Gwangju City

Regarding the emergency martial law situation declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol, various sectors including civic groups from Gwangju and Jeonnam have come forward, calling it a “clear violation of the constitution and an act of rebellion,” and are demanding his impeachment.

The Yoon Suk-yeol Resignation National Rally Promotion Committee held a ‘Gwangju Citizens Emergency National Rally’ on the morning of the 4th at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, urging the immediate arrest and impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. About 400 people from civic groups, labor unions, political circles, religious sectors, and citizens participated in the rally.

Ryu Bong-sik, representative of the Gwangju Progressive Alliance, emphasized, “The moments of the December 12 and October 26 incidents, and furthermore the May 18 incident, came to mind. The people cannot forgive a regime that violated the constitutional order and attempted to destroy the democratic republic.”

Park Si-young, chairman of the Gwangju Democratization Movement Memorial Association, raised her voice, saying, “To protect democracy and popular sovereignty, President Yoon, who violated the constitution, must be punished.”

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, and in the early morning of the 4th, citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, urging the lifting of martial law. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The May 18 Memorial Foundation and three organizations of May 18 veterans (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Meritorious Persons Association) also issued a joint statement that day, saying, “The emergency martial law order last night was the first in 45 years since October 26, 1979, reminiscent of the May 18 Democratization Movement in 1980,” and defined it as “an unconstitutional act that destroys democracy and constitutional order, and an abuse of power that brands citizens who criticize the president as anti-state forces.”

They added, “Even if the martial law is lifted, the crime of rebellion by President Yoon and his accomplices does not disappear,” and pointed out, “It has become clear that President Yoon can no longer conduct normal state affairs.”

The Gwangju and Jeonnam Journalists Association also stated in a press release that day, “The announcement of martial law in the middle of the night reminded Gwangju of 45 years ago. The tragedy recalled every May 18 unfolded once again before our eyes,” and demanded, “President Yoon, who has inflicted trauma once again on the citizens and journalists living in this land of pain, must resign immediately.”

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, at the National Assembly plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law with 190 members present and 190 votes in favor. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju, Mokpo, Haenam, Suncheon, Gwangyang, and Yeosu YMCAs jointly issued a ‘National Situation Statement,’ urging, “The National Assembly must immediately impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol, who pointed guns at the sovereign people.”

They stated, “The National Assembly must impeach President Yoon, who declared an irrational and anti-democratic emergency martial law, infringing on critical media, political opposition forces, and the basic rights and sovereignty of the people,” and argued, “President Yoon, who declared unconstitutional and illegal martial law to plot rebellion, must be arrested and punished.”

The Jeonnam Medical Association, in a statement, said, “With President Yoon’s unconstitutional declaration of martial law, democracy has collapsed following the collapse of medical services,” and called for his immediate resignation.

Voices demanding the “impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol” continued in Mokpo, Jeonnam.

The ‘Mokpo Citizens Emergency National Council,’ which includes political parties and civic groups in the Mokpo area, held a press conference in front of Mokpo City Hall that morning, stating, “Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law is a clear unconstitutional and illegal act,” and defined it as “a personal coup to cover up incompetent and corrupt state mismanagement.”

The National Council demanded the immediate arrest of conspirators and accomplices in the rebellion and the total resignation of the puppet cabinet, declaring, “Various political parties and civic groups in the Mokpo area will hold President Yoon accountable for the crime of rebellion due to his unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law and will enter into an indefinite emergency action.”