Yoon Repeats Claims in Martial Law Anniversary Statement
Yoo In-tae: "Living in Delusion... Is Someone Sneaking Him Alcohol in Prison?"
Cho Kuk: "Still Drunk?" Han Donghoon: "Justifying Martial Law"
Former National Assembly Secretary-General Yoo In-tae criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol's statement released on December 3, marking the first anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law, calling it "delusional." In an interview on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on December 4, Yoo said, "He lives in a delusion, so it's not even worth mentioning," but also questioned, "Is that really something he should be saying now?"
On December 3, former President Yoon issued a statement from prison titled "Message to the People on December 3," claiming, "The December 3 emergency martial law was a response to an attempt to paralyze state affairs and destroy the order of free constitutional government," and asserted, "It was a resolute fulfillment of my constitutional duty to protect the freedom and sovereignty of the people." In response, Yoo mocked, "He can't drink in prison, but he still seems like someone who hasn't sobered up. Maybe someone is secretly sneaking him alcohol."
Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, also criticized Yoon at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on December 4, saying, "Yoon Sukyeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, claimed that the emergency martial law was because of the Democratic Party and once again raised allegations of election fraud," and added, "This is exactly the kind of claim you would expect from someone guilty of rebellion." Cho further remarked, "Is he still drunk, or does he have 'Ripley syndrome,' believing his own lies as truth?"
Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, also criticized Yoon in an interview on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show" on the same day, stating, "(Yoon's statement) justified the martial law," and emphasized, "This is not the time to be saying such things." Han added, "I do not think that is right. While I feel very sorry for the situation former President Yoon is in, if the martial law was truly justified, he should not shift responsibility onto his subordinates by claiming he bears no responsibility."
He further pointed out, "Isn't this contradictory? If the martial law was justified, he should say, 'This was justified, so I take full responsibility.' Instead, he agitates publicly that the martial law was justified, while in court he argues, 'I didn't know; you acted on your own.' This is a contradictory stance." Addressing the People Power Party, he added, "There should be no more justifying martial law, no more 'Yoon Again,' no more enlightenment decrees. This should be the official position of the People Power Party now."
On the 3rd, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated in a press release marking the first anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law, "It was a martial law to counter the parliamentary outrage." Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Meanwhile, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, did not offer an apology in his statement marking the first anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law, instead describing it as "martial law to counter the parliamentary outrage." Jang stated, "The impeachment following the martial law led to a series of tragedies in Korean politics, causing disappointment and confusion among the people and party members. The People Power Party, for failing to unite and fight properly, is not free from responsibility. As party leader, I feel a deep sense of responsibility." Some have pointed out that Jang's explanation, attributing the cause of the December 3 emergency martial law to "parliamentary outrage," closely mirrors the justification presented by former President Yoon at the time.
Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party, responded to Jang's remarks by saying, "This goes beyond criticism and warrants condemnation," and added, "This is not mere political partisanship but an echo of the logic of rebellion." He emphasized, "The responsibility for rebellion allows for neither compromise nor forgiveness. The Democratic Party will ensure that Yoon Sukyeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, and all his followers are judged before the law and history."
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