Opposition 6 Parties Submit Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon to National Assembly: "Cannot Overlook Acts of Rebellion"

On the afternoon of the 4th, the six opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea submitted an impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office in Yeouido, Seoul.

According to the submitted impeachment motion, President Yoon "issued an emergency martial law that is null and void from the outset by violating the Constitution and laws, despite not meeting any of the constitutional requirements for martial law."

The Constitution and laws violated by President Yoon amount to 15 provisions. These include popular sovereignty (Article 1 of the Constitution), the principle of separation of powers, political neutrality of military personnel and public officials (Article 5 Paragraph 2 and Article 7 Paragraph 2 of the Constitution), the party system and freedom of party activities (Article 8 of the Constitution), freedom of residence and movement (Article 14 of the Constitution), freedom to choose one's occupation (Article 15 of the Constitution), and freedom of expression including press, publication, assembly, and association (Article 21 of the Constitution).

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min said, "Just now, the six opposition parties have proposed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. All 191 opposition lawmakers signed and proposed it." Lawmaker Kim stated, "The grounds for impeachment are the unconstitutional and illegal martial law declared yesterday and today, and the acts of rebellion that occurred during the process. We absolutely cannot overlook this as it is, and we can no longer allow democracy to collapse. Furthermore, we proposed this out of a sense of duty to protect the lives and safety of the people."

Regarding the charge of rebellion as grounds for impeachment, he said, "The military and police protected lawmakers and prevented them from entering to vote. In other words, the National Assembly, a constitutional institution, was prevented from exercising its functions, which constitutes rebellion. Our Constitution and Martial Law Act do not allow the suspension of the National Assembly's functions. Only the National Assembly has the authority to lift martial law; it is not subject to limitation of its functions or effectiveness by martial law," he added.

On the 4th, Lee Ju-young of the Reform New Party, Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader, Shin Jang-sik of the Innovation Party for Justice, Yoon Jong-oh, floor leader of the Progressive Party, Yong Hye-in, leader of the Basic Income Party, Han Chang-min, leader of the Social Democratic Party, and Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea submitted the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, jointly proposed by six opposition parties, to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office.

Reform New Party lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram raised his voice, saying, "Because President Yoon Seok-yeol committed a deranged constitutional rebellion, impeachment is not an option but a necessity. Therefore, impeachment is a constant and essential measure, and we must consider how to appropriately punish the rebellion."

Yong Hye-in, leader of the Basic Income Party, said, "I believe that the crime of rebellion, which shattered the everyday peace of the Republic of Korea to cover up this government's illegal and unconstitutional acts and state corruption, must be held accountable." She emphasized, "The beginning must be the impeachment motion on the charge of rebellion. There are about 72 hours left, and we will do our best to ensure that the impeachment motion is passed within that time."

Earlier, in an emergency statement announced at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, the previous night, President Yoon said, "To protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people at once, and to uphold the free constitutional order, I hereby declare emergency martial law."

In response, the National Assembly submitted a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law to the plenary session, which was passed at 1 a.m. that day with 190 members present (172 opposition, 18 ruling party) and 190 votes in favor. President Yoon accepted the National Assembly's demand and lifted the martial law about six hours after its declaration.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is speaking at the '3 Years Is Too Long Special Committee - Joint Meeting of the Members' held in front of the National Assembly plenary session hall on the 4th.