'Yun Impeachment and Treason Special Prosecutor' National Petition Approaches 300,000 Signatures

Petition Approaching 270,000 Signatures in 5 Days Since Public Release

The number of people agreeing to the national petition demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and a special investigation for the crime of rebellion is approaching 300,000.

As of 6 p.m. on the 9th, 269,566 people had agreed to the petition titled "Petition to Urge the Enactment of a Special Investigation Law for the Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and Investigation of the Crime of Rebellion," posted on the National Assembly's National Consent Petition website. It has been five days since the petition was made fully public on the 4th.

The petition surpassed the requirement of 50,000 signatures for establishment just one day after being made public, on the 5th, and was referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Opposition parties announced plans to submit an impeachment motion, but civic groups such as the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy proceeded with the petition to directly convey citizens' demands to the ruling party, which responded by abstaining from voting.

The lead petitioner, Mr. Lee, stated, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law on the 3rd was a clear violation of the Constitution and laws," adding, "There was no serious national emergency warranting the mobilization of troops, nor any situation requiring the maintenance of public order. Nevertheless, the declaration of martial law did not meet the substantive requirements set by the Constitution."

Mr. Lee also mentioned, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law did not fulfill procedural requirements either. When the president declares martial law, it is stipulated that the reasons, effective date and time, area of enforcement, and martial law commander must be announced. However, President Yoon neither announced these details nor notified the National Assembly when declaring martial law."

A banner urging impeachment was hung in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th, after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol failed to pass due to a lack of quorum caused by the collective absence of People Power Party members from the vote. On the same day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions will hold a candlelight rally at 6 p.m. in front of the National Assembly, followed by a candlelight protest by civic groups at 7 p.m. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

He pointed out, "Even under martial law, prohibiting or obstructing the political activities of the National Assembly is impossible under the Constitution and laws. However, the series of acts involving the deployment of martial law troops and police to block the National Assembly constitutes a rebellion (Article 87) as a riot aimed at disturbing the national order (Article 91, Clause 2 of the Criminal Act)."

Mr. Lee emphasized, "President Yoon Suk-yeol committed unconstitutional acts that are unacceptable in a democratic society, with clear and serious violations of the Constitution and laws confirmed, and decisively betrayed the trust of the people. President Yoon must be removed from office as soon as possible, investigated, and stand trial in a criminal court. The National Assembly must immediately pass a resolution to impeach President Yoon and enact a special investigation law for his crime of rebellion."

Regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor for the investigation of the crime of rebellion, Mr. Lee said, "I hope the National Assembly will promptly enact a law concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the crime of rebellion by Yoon Suk-yeol and his associates," explaining, "The prosecution and police under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration have lost public trust, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials currently lacks investigative capacity. According to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Corruption Investigation Office Act, the investigative authority over the crime of rebellion by the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office is unclear and must be taken into consideration."