May Group: "Yoon's National Address Is Nothing but a Half-Hearted Excuse"

Statement... "Resign Immediately, Not Deceptive Acts"
Also Released 'Impeachment Urging Letter to the National Assembly'

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a national address at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 7th, the May organizations issued a statement regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency martial law situation 'address to the nation,' stating, “We strongly demand that President Yoon Seok-yeol reflect on his irresponsible attitude and deception of the people revealed in the address, and immediately resign and step down from all duties to restore trust with the people.”

The May 18 Memorial Foundation, along with the May 18 Democratic Merit Association, the May 18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, and the May 18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association, released a statement titled “The Position of the May 18 Organizations on President Yoon Seok-yeol's Address to the Nation,” saying, “President Yoon declared that ‘there will be no second martial law’ and expressed his intention to entrust state affairs and his term to the People Power Party and the people,” but emphasized, “This is essentially a meaningless, insincere announcement that amounts to an excuse and is an act of deceiving the people once again, which we cannot but condemn.”

They continued, “The insincere declaration toward the people and history only exacerbates the anxiety of the wounded citizens rather than healing them,” and pointed out, “This address failed to show any concrete plan or will to heal the wounds of past history and achieve national unity.”

They also criticized, “The president’s statement about entrusting state affairs and his term to the People Power Party and the people can be interpreted as an evasion of responsibility and an intention to continue state affairs,” adding, “It appears to be an attempt to prepare for a new political move without a specific stance on his own position, showing an irresponsible attitude lacking respect for the people and democracy.”

Meanwhile, the May organizations asserted, “Yoon Seok-yeol must be impeached to restore democracy and justice.”

In their “Impeachment Urging Statement to the National Assembly” released that day, they said, “The impeachment vote on President Yoon Seok-yeol taking place in the National Assembly today is a historic moment to restore democracy and justice in the Republic of Korea,” urging, “The rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol must be impeached.”

The May organizations added, “The Yoon Seok-yeol government has repeatedly disparaged the spirit of May 18, revived the legacies of the dictatorship era, and acted against democracy,” and warned, “All members of the National Assembly participating in today’s vote must not forget that they stand before the judgment of history.”