Special Statement on Yoon Seok-yeol Insurrection Incident
"Investigation, Arrest, Detention, Prosecution, and Punishment Procedures Must Be Followed"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 6th called on President Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared martial law, to "be removed from duty as soon as possible and leave the decision on whether to retain the position to the judgment and decision of the people." He also emphasized that President Yoon must "undergo procedures of investigation, arrest, detention, prosecution, and punishment."
On the same day, Lee issued a 'Special Statement on the Yoon Seok-yeol Insurrection Incident' at the National Assembly in the morning, saying, "He is the clear ringleader of a state insurrection crime who abused the democratic constitutional order for his personal gain and to strengthen and maintain power."
Lee stated, "He mobilized the military to usurp the sovereignty of the people and, finding the administrative power he already controlled insufficient, attempted to completely seize all three branches of government, including the legislative and judicial powers," adding, "The target explicitly mentioned as 'to be dealt with' in the martial law proclamation was not our enemy but the sovereign, owner, and people of the Republic of Korea."
He continued, "We cannot entrust the operation of state affairs even for a moment to a president who threatened the lives of the sovereign with unconstitutional and illegal acts," and raised his voice, saying, "The December 3 martial law declaration is a rebellion and insurrection act, as well as a personal coup, carried out by the president himself to maintain or further expand his power."
Lee warned, "Insurrection crimes are exceptions to immunity from prosecution. Through swift investigation, the truth must be clarified, and since immunity does not apply, procedures of investigation, arrest, detention, prosecution, and punishment must be followed within the necessary scope."
Earlier that morning, regarding Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, requesting President Yoon's 'suspension from duty,' Lee said, "I heard he agreed, so although late, I think it is truly fortunate," but cautioned, "I sincerely pray that this does not end as mere wordplay."
Lee then proposed a meeting with Han. He said, "In this critical situation, even if the ruling and opposition leaders cannot meet and speak frankly, it is only right to discuss what it means to put the people and the nation first and fulfill responsibilities," adding, "I hope Han will make time to discuss this issue even now, and I propose this."
As both ruling and opposition leaders simultaneously announced President Yoon's suspension from duty that day, there are forecasts that the impeachment vote in the National Assembly is entering its final countdown. When asked if the impeachment vote could be expedited, Lee said, "Having dealt with Han many times, I worry he might say, 'Didn’t I say that suspension from duty is impeachment?'" and added, "Therefore, it seems inappropriate at this stage to speak on the premise of Han’s support for impeachment."
However, the Democratic Party also raised the possibility of advancing the scheduled impeachment vote by two hours to 5 p.m. on the 7th. Park Sung-jun, senior deputy floor leader for party operations, said in an MBC radio interview that day, "We originally expected the vote around 7 p.m., but we think it should be around 5 p.m."
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