[December 7 National Assembly] 10 AM, Yoon's Apology... Opposition: "Resignation and Impeachment Are the Only Way"

President Yoon "I Apologize" National Address
"Including Term, Leaving It to the Party" Yet Cold Reception from the National Assembly

As of 10 a.m. on the 7th, President Yoon Suk-yeol issued an emergency national address apologizing to the public for the December 3 martial law incident and entrusted the ruling party with his term and plans for political stability.

In his national address, President Yoon said, "I will entrust the ruling party with the plans for political stability, including my term. Going forward, the ruling party and the government will take joint responsibility for state affairs," and bowed his head in apology, saying, "I once again deeply apologize to the people for causing concern." President Yoon also stated, "There are talks about martial law being imposed again, but I want to make it clear," adding, "There will never be a second martial law."

On the 7th, the day of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, citizens are watching President Yoon's national address in the waiting room of Seoul Station. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

However, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, who watched President Yoon's national address, stated, "An early resignation of President Yoon is inevitable," and opposition parties also reacted strongly, saying, "There is no way but immediate resignation or impeachment of the president."

Right after the national address, Han met with reporters in front of the party leader's office at the National Assembly and said, "The president said he would entrust the ruling party with plans for political stability, including his term," and pointed out, "It is impossible for the president to perform his duties normally, and an early resignation is inevitable."

He continued, "We will discuss and consider the best way forward for the Republic of Korea and its people," emphasizing, "The president also said that the party and government will take responsibility for managing the political situation. I will closely discuss with the prime minister and the party about the livelihood situation and other important matters to prevent the people from suffering and to avoid worsening external circumstances."

When asked about early resignation plans such as a responsible prime minister system or constitutional amendments to shorten the presidential term, he refrained from direct comments, saying, "I said I would discuss entrusting the ruling party with the term and other matters, and that early resignation is inevitable."

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Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters at the National Assembly at 10:30 a.m. the same day and said, "To put it simply, it is very disappointing. The greatest risk to the Republic of Korea right now is the president himself," adding, "The only solution is the immediate resignation of President Yoon or early resignation through impeachment."

He further emphasized, "We will do our best to achieve President Yoon's resignation or impeachment. Together with the people, we will actively, swiftly, and strongly push to exclude the main culprit of the Republic of Korea's risk and internal conflict from the presidency."

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Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, also harshly criticized President Yoon's national address at a press conference that day, saying, "Any decision by such a person is meaningless. He should prepare to be investigated," and added, "The mastermind of internal rebellion and military coup, along with his accomplices and abettors, intends to continue running the government. This is nothing but a despicable national deception seeking to save himself."

Cho also appealed to the People Power Party, saying, "Members of the People Power Party, will you continue to govern with such a person? Do you think he will listen to you?" and urged, "There is a chance to correct this. Please support the impeachment motion that will be brought to the plenary session at 5 p.m."

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