[Full Text] Lee Jae-myung "Swift Eradication of Insurrection Forces... Path to Normalizing the Republic of Korea"

"12.3 Naeran Is Not Over Yet"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 27th, "The swift eradication of the insurrectionary forces is the only path to the normalization of the Republic of Korea."

In a national address delivered at the National Assembly that morning, Lee said, "Suppressing the insurrection is the paramount task of the Republic of Korea at this very moment."

Lee emphasized, "Today, our Democratic Party impeaches Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in accordance with the people's mandate," adding, "With the boundless sense of responsibility from that night of December 3rd when we risked arrest, detention, and disappearance to scale the National Assembly walls, we will suppress any rebellion and regression."

He explained, "'Acting authority' has transformed into 'acting insurrection.' They do not hesitate to provoke for the reinstatement of the insurrection ringleader," adding, "They are delaying the formation of constitutional institutions necessary for state maintenance, destroying constitutional order, and continuing another act of 'national constitutional disorder.'

Lee criticized, "The December 3rd insurrection that plunged the Republic of Korea into a nightmare is not over yet. The 'night of resistance,' unable to sleep because morning has not come, continues," and said, "'Insurrectionary forces' have chosen re-insurrection instead of reflection and apology."

He raised his voice, saying, "Just like that night of December 3rd when they threatened the people with guns and armored vehicles, they are abusing the power entrusted by the people to fight against the people," and "The insurrection ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol has deeply hidden himself in the Yongsan royal palace to escape the judgment of the angry public sentiment."

Lee stressed, "To stabilize the economy, uncertainty must be reduced, but the insurrectionary forces' rampage maximizes uncertainty and threatens the economy and people's livelihoods," and "The insurrection ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol and the remnants of the insurrection are the greatest threat to the Republic of Korea. Only the swift eradication of the insurrectionary forces is the sole path to the normalization of the Republic of Korea."

He said, "Until the moment we dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol, root out his supporting forces, and completely suppress the insurrection, we will concentrate all our capabilities to fulfill our historic responsibility."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing his position on the political situation, including the impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo, at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Below is the full text of Lee Jae-myung’s national address

Respected citizens, the December 3rd insurrection that plunged the Republic of Korea into a nightmare is not over yet. The 'night of resistance,' unable to sleep because morning has not come, continues.

The 'insurrectionary forces' have chosen re-insurrection instead of reflection and apology. Just like that night of December 3rd when they threatened the people with guns and armored vehicles, they are abusing the power entrusted by the people to fight against the people.

The insurrection ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol has deeply hidden himself in the Yongsan royal palace to escape the judgment of the angry public sentiment. He denies the clear insurrection witnessed by the entire nation and tries to cover his crimes with sophistry and outrageous remarks.

The 'acting authority' has transformed into 'acting insurrection.' The People Power Party, which produced the insurrection ringleader, has abandoned its responsibility to uphold the constitution and has taken on the role of the insurrection ringleader’s personal guard.

They do not hesitate to provoke for the reinstatement of the insurrection ringleader. They delay the formation of constitutional institutions necessary for state maintenance, destroy constitutional order, and continue another act of 'national constitutional disorder.'

The ongoing insurrection and the rampage of the insurrectionists increase economic uncertainty, driving the already difficult lives of the people into ruin. This is evident when looking at the exchange rate, an indicator of the economic situation. The exchange rate fluctuated wildly with the declaration of martial law, and surged with the rejection of impeachment, Yoon Seok-yeol’s additional statements, and Han Duck-soo’s refusal to appoint a Constitutional Court justice.

To stabilize the economy, uncertainty must be reduced, but the insurrectionary forces' rampage maximizes uncertainty and threatens the economy and people's livelihoods. The insurrection ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol and the remnants of the insurrection are the greatest threat to the Republic of Korea. Only the swift eradication of the insurrectionary forces is the sole path to the normalization of the Republic of Korea.

The people's mandate is clear: 'Immediately arrest and dismiss the insurrection ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol' and 'Completely root out the rebel forces.' Suppressing the insurrection is national stability and the restoration of democratic republicanism. Suppressing the insurrection is the way to overcome the economic crisis and restore people's livelihoods. Suppressing the insurrection is the paramount task of the Republic of Korea at this very moment.

Today, our Democratic Party impeaches Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in accordance with the people's mandate. With the boundless sense of responsibility from that night of December 3rd when we risked arrest, detention, and disappearance to scale the National Assembly walls, we will suppress any rebellion and regression.

Until the moment we dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol, root out his supporting forces, and completely suppress the insurrection, we will concentrate all our capabilities to fulfill our historic responsibility.

Respected citizens, the fate of the Republic of Korea hangs by a thread. The remnants of the insurrection, whom we thought we had driven out with the people's hands, are dreaming of a comeback and attempting a counterattack. Democracy, constitutional order, the people’s economy, and national credibility are still at red alert.

However, citizens, at every twist and turn of our turbulent history, the people have triumphed, and even in this crisis-ridden reality, the people will ultimately prevail. Politics may seem like it is done by politicians, but in the end, it is done by the people, and no power can defeat the people. Even under the ruthless military dictatorship, the people risked their lives to win democracy.

With fragile candles, the people drove arrogant power from the throne and demonstrated the strength of Korean democracy to the world. Against the insurrectionary forces dreaming of permanent military dictatorship through emergency martial law, our people are carrying out an unextinguishable 'revolution of light' with the weapon of multicolored light.

As loyal servants of the people, we will become a useful tool for the revolution of light in accordance with the mandate of the people and history. We will boldly open the path of hope pointed out by the people.

A country that has turned crisis into opportunity and continued a 5,000-year-long history, the proud Republic of Korea is the only country among those liberated from colonial rule to have succeeded in both industrialization and democratization and entered the ranks of advanced nations.

With the great strength of our people, we will sweep away the grotesque delusions of the national insurrectionary forces and be reborn as a stronger exemplary democratic nation. We will turn this crisis into an opportunity for new leaps and development.

Together with the people, we will end the night of insurrection and open the morning of hope. Thank you.