'Refusal to Resign' Yoon Approves Cabinet Meeting Agenda... Resumes Exercise of Administrative Power

Through a National Address, "We Will Stand Firmly Against"

Contrary to his announcement of stepping down from state affairs, President Yoon Suk-yeol resumed exercising executive power by approving agenda items at the Cabinet meeting. This is interpreted as his intention to refuse voluntary resignation.

According to the Ministry of Government Legislation on the 12th, President Yoon signed 21 bills and 21 enforcement ordinances in the afternoon. The Ministry plans to submit the bills signed by President Yoon to the National Assembly.

Earlier, on the 7th, President Yoon apologized for the emergency martial law situation and stated that he would entrust state affairs to the party and government. This was interpreted as his intention to step down from the forefront of state affairs. However, on the following day, the 8th, he accepted the resignation of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and approved the dismissal of Ryu Hyuk, the Ministry of Justice inspector who submitted his resignation in protest against the emergency martial law situation, showing a series of exercises of key personnel authority over the government.

After several days of seclusion, President Yoon delivered a public address on the morning of the day, stating, "Whether impeached or investigated, I will face it boldly." He argued that the declaration of emergency martial law was to prevent the opposition party's violent acts, saying, "How can the president's constitutional decision and governing act be considered rebellion?" The resumption of agenda items passed at the Cabinet meeting is seen as a sign that he intends to maintain the presidency instead of resigning.

On the morning of the 12th, citizens at Seoul Station are watching President Yoon Seok-yeol's address on TV. Photo by Yonhap News.