"Opposition Didn't Applaud" Yoon's Remark... Opposition Fiercely Criticizes, "Did You Get Sulky and Declare Martial Law?"

Park Eunjung: "He Completely Ignored Opposing Views Even as Prosecutor General"
Park Joomin: "People Power Party Lawmakers Didn't Applaud During Moon's Policy Speech Either"

President Yoon Suk-yeol faced strong criticism from opposition lawmakers after he explained the background of declaring martial law during the 7th impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, mentioning that "opposition lawmakers did not even applaud once when I visited the National Assembly." They criticized him harshly, saying, "Are you saying you declared martial law because you were sulking?" and "It's childish."

On the 12th, Park Eun-jung, a member of the Innovation Party for Justice, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and, when asked to pick the most impressive moment during President Yoon's 7th impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court the previous day, referred to that remark and sharply stated, "Then, is it disappointing that martial law was declared because he was sulking?"

Park Eun-jung, Jo Guk-hyeok Party member. Photo by Yonhap News

Park said, "(When President Yoon was appointed Prosecutor General four years ago,) he ignored and did not listen to prosecutors who expressed opposing opinions," adding, "It made me think that people do not change."

She also criticized, "Even so, sending armed soldiers to the National Assembly to paralyze it cannot be justified," and said, "He criticized the opposition for not engaging in dialogue and cooperation, but throughout his term, he relentlessly investigated opposition leaders to eliminate political rivals and was the one who avoided dialogue more than anyone else."

Park Joo-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also criticized President Yoon's remarks as "too childish" on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that day.

Park questioned, "When former President Moon Jae-in gave a policy speech at the National Assembly, did the People Power Party lawmakers applaud? Didn't they run away or turn their backs even when he tried to greet them?" and asked, "Then, should we have declared martial law too?"

She continued, "(President Yoon) did not even come to give policy speeches afterward. He himself did not want to engage in dialogue," and pointed out, "He made such remarks to justify martial law, but it seems he still does not fully understand what he has done."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking as the respondent at his 7th impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 11th. 2025.2.11. Photo by the Constitutional Court

Earlier, on the 11th, during the 7th impeachment trial session held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, President Yoon said, "When I go to the National Assembly to deliver the budget keynote speech, no matter how much they dislike me, the basic principle of dialogue and compromise is to listen and at least applaud," adding, "(Opposition lawmakers) all turned their heads away, refused to shake hands, and even said 'Resign.'

He continued, "As president, no matter how much the opposition attacks me, would I not engage in dialogue and compromise?" and claimed, "The Democratic Party's frame was that the president refused dialogue and compromise and continued a one-way communication without connection, but they should reflect on this themselves."