Yoo Seung-min "Not a Rebellion? The Whole Nation Saw It. Let's Follow the Constitution"

"National Assembly Should Impeach, Constitutional Court Should Adjudicate, and Prosecution and Police Should Investigate"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said on the 12th, regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's claim that the martial law was not a rebellion, "Let's follow the Constitution." He suggested that the National Assembly should impeach, the Constitutional Court should adjudicate, and investigative agencies should investigate and prosecute.

On the same day, Yoo opened his statement on social media by saying, "The unconstitutional martial law and rebellion on December 3rd were vividly witnessed by the entire nation." He continued, "The President says that martial law is a constitutional measure and is by no means a rebellion," adding, "The orderly resolution of this situation must be according to the Constitution." Since the people clearly saw the 'rebellion' but the President denies it, he insists on following the Constitution.

On the 12th, citizens at the Seoul Station waiting room are watching the urgent statement regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Yoo said, "There can be no solution outside the Constitution," and added, "The National Assembly must decide on impeachment and suspension of duties. The Constitutional Court must decide on the impeachment trial. The prosecution and police must investigate and decide on prosecution for rebellion."

He also said, "In a democratic republic with separation of powers, the President is also under the Constitution," and "Whether it is a legitimate martial law or not a rebellion is never for the President to decide."

Yoo emphasized, "The Constitution is more important than ever," and said, "Let's follow the Constitution."

President Yoon, in a statement on the same day, asserted the legitimacy of martial law. He said, "How can the President's constitutional decision and act of governance be considered a rebellion?" and added, "The President's exercise of the martial law proclamation right is an act of governance that is not subject to judicial review, like the exercise of the pardon right or diplomatic authority."