South Korean Leader Promises to 'Fight till the End'
Yoon Suk Yeol has expressed his intention to “stand firm” in the face of possible impeachment or investigation concerning the declaration of martial law. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has defended his brief declaration of martial law last week, vowing to "stand firm" in the face of possible impeachment or investigation.
In a surprise televised address on Thursday, Yoon emphasized that he has no plans to resign as the National Assembly prepares for a second vote on impeachment this weekend.
“I will stand firm whether I am impeached or investigated,” he insisted. “I will fight to the end.”
He characterized his decision to declare martial law last Tuesday as stemming from a “highly calibrated political judgment,” asserting it was aimed at “to protect the nation and normalize state affairs” amidst efforts by the opposition to disrupt the government.
The martial law declaration was rescinded after less than six hours, as lawmakers voted against it, and widespread protests erupted. Currently, Yoon is prohibited from leaving the country due to an ongoing police investigation into potential insurrection.
Yoon accused the main opposition Democratic Party of “siding” with North Korea, particularly regarding the regime's nuclear program and missile threats.
“I do not know which country the party belongs to and which country the National Assembly belongs to,” Yoon stated.
He claimed that the opposition is "creating a lot of false incitement to drag the president down by creating the crime of treason."
The president expressed regret to South Koreans who “might have been surprised and nervous due to the short-lived martial law,” reaffirming his “passionate loyalty” to them.
Shortly before Yoon's address, leaders from his own People Power Party, which had previously opposed impeachment and boycotted the first vote on the matter, declared that their efforts to persuade the president to resign voluntarily had been unsuccessful.
“We tried to find a better way than impeachment, but that other way is invalid,” PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated. “Suspending the president from his duties through impeachment is the only way for now, to defend democracy and the republic.”
Additionally, a study conducted by the Realmeter pollster revealed that 74.8% of South Koreans believe Yoon should resign immediately, either through voluntary resignation or impeachment.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a surprise televised address on Thursday, Yoon emphasized that he has no plans to resign as the National Assembly prepares for a second vote on impeachment this weekend.
“I will stand firm whether I am impeached or investigated,” he insisted. “I will fight to the end.”
He characterized his decision to declare martial law last Tuesday as stemming from a “highly calibrated political judgment,” asserting it was aimed at “to protect the nation and normalize state affairs” amidst efforts by the opposition to disrupt the government.
The martial law declaration was rescinded after less than six hours, as lawmakers voted against it, and widespread protests erupted. Currently, Yoon is prohibited from leaving the country due to an ongoing police investigation into potential insurrection.
Yoon accused the main opposition Democratic Party of “siding” with North Korea, particularly regarding the regime's nuclear program and missile threats.
“I do not know which country the party belongs to and which country the National Assembly belongs to,” Yoon stated.
He claimed that the opposition is "creating a lot of false incitement to drag the president down by creating the crime of treason."
The president expressed regret to South Koreans who “might have been surprised and nervous due to the short-lived martial law,” reaffirming his “passionate loyalty” to them.
Shortly before Yoon's address, leaders from his own People Power Party, which had previously opposed impeachment and boycotted the first vote on the matter, declared that their efforts to persuade the president to resign voluntarily had been unsuccessful.
“We tried to find a better way than impeachment, but that other way is invalid,” PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated. “Suspending the president from his duties through impeachment is the only way for now, to defend democracy and the republic.”
Additionally, a study conducted by the Realmeter pollster revealed that 74.8% of South Koreans believe Yoon should resign immediately, either through voluntary resignation or impeachment.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
