10 Senior Citizen Groups Hold Press Conference and Issue Political Statement
"As a Generation That Experienced Military Coup and Martial Law, We Cannot Stand By"
On the morning of the 3rd, as officials from the Corruption Investigation Office entered the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, supporters of President Yoon gathered on the road near the residence in Hannam-dong to hold an anti-impeachment rally. Photo by Heo Young-han
Senior organizations have issued a declaration calling for the dismissal and arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol. These groups also criticized the collective actions of supporters attempting to prevent the president's arrest.
Ten senior organizations, including the Women’s Union for an Aging Society, the Senior Union, the 50+ Financial Labor Solidarity, and the Vietnam War Veterans Reform Coalition, held a press conference on the 4th in front of Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to announce the declaration.
They stated, “As a generation that has experienced multiple military coups and martial law, we can no longer stand by,” and emphasized, “The Constitutional Court must promptly dismiss Yoon Suk-yeol from the presidency.”
The organizations added, “When Chun Doo-hwan and his group expanded martial law nationwide in May 1980, the citizens and students of Gwangju risked their lives to resist,” and continued, “Upon hearing the announcement of martial law on December 3, everyone rushed to the National Assembly, and above all, the youth in their 20s and 30s took the lead, turning the future of the Republic of Korea from despair to hope.”
They went on, “We were very proud when the phrase ‘woke up to find ourselves a developed country’ became popular. We took pride in the fact that the elderly contributed to that,” and appealed, “In a country ranked 10th in the world economy and recognized by all as a democracy, an armed rebellion involving the military has occurred, turning the Republic of Korea into a ‘woke up to find ourselves a developing country.’”
Furthermore, the groups strongly criticized some elderly individuals and far-right YouTubers who sympathize with the rebellion and oppose President Yoon’s impeachment. They said, “In this situation, some elderly people and far-right YouTubers have gathered in Hannam-dong, where the president’s residence is located, engaging in reckless behavior to protect Yoon Suk-yeol,” and urged, “As elders, we call on them to stop this disgraceful conduct.”
The organizations urged investigative authorities and the courts to swiftly investigate and punish the crime of rebellion. They declared, “To protect our community and democracy, we will join hands across generations,” and “We will be elders who are not ashamed before the younger generation.”
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