Yoon: "I Will Do My Best for the Country Until the Last Moment... I Will Never Give Up" (Comprehensive)

Statement Released After Impeachment Resolution Passed
"Public Officials, Please Fulfill Your Duties"
"Political Sphere Must Change to Deliberative and Considerate Politics"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a national address at his Hannam-dong residence on the 14th after his impeachment motion was passed in the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 14th, "I am pausing for a moment now, but the journey toward the future that I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years must never stop," adding, "I will never give up."

President Yoon made these remarks in a statement titled "A Message to the People," distributed through the presidential office at around 6:08 p.m., immediately after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against him. He said, "I will hold all the criticisms, encouragement, and support directed at me in my heart and do my best for the country until the very last moment."

Reflecting on the passage of the impeachment motion, President Yoon recalled, "Seeing the National Assembly pass the impeachment motion today reminded me of June 29, 2021, when I first declared my entry into politics," and added, "The country's liberal democracy and rule of law had collapsed." Upon becoming president and meeting the people on the ground, he pointed out that small business owners and self-employed individuals were crying out due to the previous administration's income-led growth policy, and that young people and ordinary citizens were suffering under heavy real estate loans.

He continued, "The despair of the self-employed and the frustration of the youth filled the entire country. I entered politics carrying that passionate national desire," and said, "Since then, I have worked tirelessly and devoted all my energy."

President Yoon emphasized, "When I calmly listened to difficult circumstances and gradually solved problems, I felt a happiness greater than anything else," and added, "When I traveled the world carrying the title of Korea's first top salesperson and achieved results, I felt an indescribable great sense of fulfillment."

He also said, "I have been desperately pushing forward the four major reforms that were necessary for the future but that previous administrations could not undertake for fear of losing elections," and lamented, "When the policies I was considering and promoting for the people were hindered, I felt my heart burning and lost sleep at night."

President Yoon said, "Now, the journey that was hard but happy, difficult but rewarding, has been paused for a moment. I am frustrated, worrying that the efforts made so far might be in vain."

In particular, President Yoon urged public officials to fulfill their duties despite his suspension from office.

He emphasized, "Although these are difficult and challenging times, I hope everyone will steadfastly maintain their positions and fulfill their responsibilities," and added, "I ask everyone to unite around the acting president and do their best to protect the safety and happiness of the people."

Furthermore, he appealed to the political sphere, saying, "I urge the political community to pay attention and make efforts to improve political culture and systems so that politics can shift from reckless confrontation to deliberation and consideration."