Ahn Cheol-soo: "Yoon Must Step Down Voluntarily... A Political Disgrace"

"Leaders of Ruling and Opposition Parties Must Form a National Unity Cabinet"

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo demanded the resignation of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who had declared martial law.

On the 4th, Ahn posted on social media (SNS) a message titled "The ruling and opposition parties must agree for President Yoon's resignation and orderly change," stating, "Pointing a gun at the people, the total resignation of the cabinet and the president's withdrawal from the party are not enough. I urge the president to take responsibility for this situation and step down from the presidency in an orderly manner."

Ahn criticized, "On December 3rd, President Yoon's illegal declaration of martial law failed," calling it "a violation of the constitution and a disgrace in the history of Korean politics." He added, "The shock felt by the people is indescribable, and the nation's dignity has fallen," urging, "President Yoon, who attempted to destroy the constitutional order, must immediately apologize to the people."

Ahn Cheol-soo, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "There is a saying, 'Live means die, die means live.' If our party tries to protect only the regime rather than the constitutional order, we must remember that the party's future could collapse," emphasizing, "It is necessary for the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to meet promptly and agree on the formation of a national unity cabinet and a new political schedule."

President Yoon declared martial law during a live broadcast at 10:25 p.m. the previous day from the Yongsan Presidential Office. Subsequently, around 1 a.m. that day, the National Assembly submitted a motion to lift martial law to the plenary session, which was passed with 190 members present and 190 votes in favor. President Yoon then lifted the martial law around 4:27 a.m. the same day.

At 2:43 p.m. that day, six opposition parties?the Democratic Party of Korea, the Party for People's Innovation, the Reform New Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party?that had previously announced plans to impeach President Yoon submitted an impeachment motion to the National Assembly. The motion was supported by all 190 lawmakers from the six opposition parties excluding People Power Party members, along with independent lawmaker Kim Jong-min.