Yoon Sanghyun: "We Must Take Responsibility for President Yoon as Our First Recruit, Regardless of His Merits... Citizens at the Residence Are Not Supporting Martial Law"

Yoon Sanghyun Stands as President Yoon's Defender Amid Impeachment Turmoil
"Rep. Ahn Cheolsoo's Call to Abide by Court Warrants Is Partly Right"
"It Was the People Power Party That Brought Him In... We Must Take Responsibility"

Yoon Sanghyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, explained his reason for supporting President Yoon Suk Yeol, describing him as "the first and foremost recruit for whom we must take responsibility, whether he is competent or not." On the 9th, Yoon wrote on his social media, "We were aware of President Yoon's strengths and weaknesses, but we brought him in because we needed him. Therefore, we must not shy away from our responsibility for him."

People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun is heading to the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

Yoon stated, "Putting politics aside, when a colleague of mine is in trouble, I try to empathize with what they are going through." He continued, "Rep. Ahn Cheolsoo's remark that 'even if it feels unfair, abiding by a court-issued warrant is the rule of law' is correct, as is the criticism from some that 'is this the era of dynasties? The president is not above the Constitution.' Still, I urge everyone to think a bit more deeply."

He added, "Do you think the people who gathered in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, braving the bitter cold to protect President Yoon, did so because they support martial law? Do you think the fellow lawmakers who rushed to the residence to protect it did so because they are in favor of martial law?" He went on, "I also felt frustrated seeing the president approach politics as a prosecutor, distinguishing between good and evil, rather than engaging in dialogue and compromise, which are crucial in politics. However, it was our People Power Party that brought him in as a presidential candidate."

He continued, "President Yoon has fought against the dark cartels in our society without compromise. Most politicians would have made some sort of deal and moved on, but President Yoon did not. As a result, he may now be facing these great hardships." He emphasized, "That is why we must not turn our backs on him. We must overcome these adversities together."

Previously, on December 11, during a plenary session of the National Assembly, Yoon referred to President Yoon's declaration of martial law as a "high-level act of governance." At the time, he said, "When it comes to high-level political acts, the president's authority should be respected and judicial review should be exercised with restraint. The Supreme Court precedent states that the assessment of unconstitutionality should be limited and restrained." In response, a petition was posted on the National Assembly's online petition site, urging for Yoon's expulsion from office, arguing that "defending martial law as an act of governance rather than at a defensive level is a violation of a lawmaker's duties."

On January 3, Yoon personally visited the presidential residence in Hannam-dong when the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) attempted to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon. On January 6, he and about 40 ruling party lawmakers gathered in front of the residence to block the CIO's attempt to detain the president, continuing to defend President Yoon.