"'Support for Martial Law' Yoon Sang-hyun, Expel from Lawmaker Position" Petition Surpasses 70,000 Signatures

Over 70,000 Agree as of 6 PM on the 26th
Petitioner: "Yoon Sang-hyun Violated National Assembly Member Duties"
"Worst for Supporting Martial Law... Request for Expulsion"

Yoon Sang-hyun, People Power Party member. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, claimed that President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law was a "high-level act of governance," while a public petition calling for Yoon's expulsion from the National Assembly has garnered over 70,000 signatures.

According to the National Assembly electronic petition site on the 26th, the number of supporters for the "Petition for the Expulsion of Assemblyman Yoon Sang-hyun" reached 75,973 as of 6 p.m. The National Assembly public petition system allows citizens to petition for legislation, and if 50,000 people agree within 30 days, the proposed legislation is submitted to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee as a bill.

The petitioner, Mr. Kim, stated on the 13th, "During the urgent current affairs questioning session on December 11, 2024, held at the National Assembly plenary session regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's unconstitutional declaration of martial law and acts of rebellion, Assemblyman Yoon claimed that the December 3 martial law was not a rebellion but a high-level act of governance." He added, "His insistence that it was an act of governance beyond a defensive level violates the duties of a National Assembly member," explaining the purpose of the petition.

A petition calling for the expulsion of Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, has gained the support of more than 75,000 people. National Assembly Public Petition Website

He continued, "There has been specific testimony in the National Assembly that President Yoon instructed military officials to 'remove National Assembly members' during the martial law period. Even if further verification is needed, this serious suspicion alone necessitates restraint from Assembly members in endorsing the declaration of martial law." He criticized, "Under President Yoon's command, the martial law troops violated the Constitution and the Martial Law Act, obstructing the exercise of the National Assembly's authority, and these scenes were broadcast live in real time. Yet, Assemblyman Yoon called this a 'high-level act of governance,' which disqualifies him from being an Assembly member."

Furthermore, he said, "In the past, the Korean National Assembly repeatedly experienced dissolution or closure by dictatorial powers, but since the enactment of the democratic constitution in 1987 until the December 3 incident, such events did not occur." He urged, "Assemblyman Yoon's remarks this time can be considered the worst. Therefore, I petition the 22nd National Assembly to initiate disciplinary procedures and expel Assemblyman Yoon from his position."

Earlier, on the 11th, Assemblyman Yoon stated at the National Assembly plenary session, "Regarding high-level political acts, the president's authority should be respected, and judicial review should be restrained," adding, "The Supreme Court precedent is to judge unconstitutionality within the bounds of restraint." He also argued, "The constitutional history of the Republic of Korea is at a critical crossroads. The end of past presidents was tragic," and "The National Assembly must undertake constitutional amendments to abolish the imperial presidency."