Minbyun Launches 'Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Special Committee' "Impeachment Needed to Prevent Prison State Management"

Han Deok-su and Han Dong-hoon’s National Administration Also "Unconstitutional and Illegal"
Martial Law Investigation Authority "Special Prosecutor Is Appropriate"
Women Lawyers Association Also "Supports Presidential Impeachment"

The Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) launched the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Special Committee' on the 10th in relation to the December 3 emergency martial law incident, urging the prompt impeachment process against President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the afternoon of the 10th, at Minbyun in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Lee Sang-hee, Vice Chairman of the Minbyun Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Special Committee, spoke about the activity plans at the "Minbyun Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Special Committee Launch and Press Briefing on Legal Issues Related to the Declaration of Martial Law and Constitutional Destruction Crimes." Photo by Yonhap News.

On the afternoon of the 10th, Yoon Bok-nam, president of Minbyun, stated at a press conference held in the Minbyun main conference room in Seocho-gu, "The president's duties are completely suspended only when the impeachment is approved. A proxy system excluding the impeachment process has no constitutional basis," and argued, "Impeachment is the answer to prevent a situation where national governance is conducted from prison."

Minbyun also declared that the joint national governance policy of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is unconstitutional and illegal, and that impeachment must be a prerequisite for the proxy system in case the president is detained.

In particular, regarding Article 71 of the Constitution, which stipulates the proxy in case of presidential vacancy or accident, they argued, "It is reasonable to consider detention as a vacancy." However, they expressed concern that "there could be interpretative disagreements about the transition to a proxy system after the president's detention based on this provision, and there is no way to receive a court judgment, which would only increase confusion."

Regarding the subject of martial law investigation, they said, "A special prosecutor is appropriate," but at this stage, they proposed forming a joint investigation headquarters excluding the prosecution, consisting of the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Headquarters, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the military prosecution.

The Korean Women Lawyers Association also issued a statement on the same day, saying, "We support the impeachment of President Yoon, who trampled on democracy and the rule of law," and "We strongly urge all members of the National Assembly to participate in the impeachment vote and fulfill their responsibilities."