67-Minute Final Statement by President Yoon at Impeachment Trial on the 25th
Hong Joon-pyo: "Sincerity Shown in Ending the 1987 System"
People Power Party: "Genuine Apology and Anguish Revealed"
On the 25th, during the 11th impeachment trial hearing of President Yoon Suk-yeol, ruling party figures gave encouraging evaluations of President Yoon's final statement, which lasted 67 minutes. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said on his Facebook that night, "Listening to President Yoon's statement, I was able to understand the detailed circumstances behind the emergency martial law," adding, "His statement that if he returns, he will focus solely on diplomacy and defense while leaving domestic affairs to the Prime Minister was the same as what he told me last August."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering his final statement at the 11th hearing of his impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th. 2025.2.25. Photo by Constitutional Court
Mayor Hong said, "I could see the sincerity in his words about shortening his term and carrying out constitutional amendments and political reforms to end the 1987 system," and added, "I also realized that my view?that this martial law was not illegal but inappropriate?was aligned with his." He continued, "Although belated, his statement about engaging in dialogue and compromise with any political faction showed sincerity," and added, "I hope the impeachment will be dismissed so that we can promptly carry out constitutional amendments and political reforms to end the 1987 system and build a new Republic of Korea."
Former Saenuri Party lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok also wrote on her blog, "There was a leader in this country who willingly risked his life and everything when the nation was in crisis," and said, "I will wait with a sincere heart." Recalling President Yoon's inauguration ceremony and inaugural address in May 2022, she said, "Today, the people of this country confirmed that President Yoon Suk-yeol kept that promise," and added, "Over the past three years, President Yoon has devoted his youth and energy entirely as if it were his life."
She continued, "President Yoon Suk-yeol, making his final argument in the impeachment courtroom, looked much older. His face was haggard, but his eyes were bright. His white hair and wrinkled face represented his dedication and worries as the President of the Republic of Korea," and added, "I wait for President Yoon Suk-yeol with a sincere heart. Now, all worries and fears have vanished."
Positive evaluations also came from the leadership of the People Power Party. Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "There was a sincere apology to the people and a revelation of his anguish leading to the emergency martial law." He added, "Considering the president's final statement and the defense team's arguments today, I believe the content was persuasive to the people regarding the inevitability and necessity of the emergency martial law," and said, "His words about carrying out constitutional amendments and political reforms for the country and the people, and not clinging to his term, left a strong impression."
Shin Dong-wook, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, also said, "The president delivered a message of national unity," adding, "His sincere emphasis on constitutional amendments to overcome the '1987 system' and political reform is a task we all must solve, and his statement about not clinging to the remaining term is highly appreciated." He added, "I have no doubt that the Constitutional Court will make a just and fair decision that the people can accept," and said, "Now it is the Constitutional Court's time."
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