Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol blamed the “malicious” opposition for his decision to declare martial law, telling a court yesterday that their refusal to applaud him or shake his hand exposed their plans to “destroy” his government.
The former prosecutor plunged democratic South Korea into political turmoil when he declared martial law on Dec. 3 last year, suspending civilian rule and sending troops to parliament.
The attempt only lasted six hours as the opposition-led parliament defied troops to vote it down, later impeaching him over the move.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Yoon was detained in the middle of last month on insurrection charges, becoming the first sitting South Korean head of state to be arrested.
He is regularly being transported from prison to hearings at the Constitutional Court, which is to determine whether his impeachment is upheld.
At yesterday’s hearing — likely the penultimate one — Yoon said that the opposition had failed to offer him due respect while he was in office.
“No matter how much they dislike me, it is the basic principle of dialogue and compromise to listen to me, and give me a round of applause for my budget speech in parliament,” the 64-year-old told the court.
Opposition lawmakers “did not even enter the main hall, and I had to give a speech to a half-empty parliament,” he said.
Such a gesture was “deeply malicious” and exposed the “opposition’s intent to destroy my government,” he added.
He then complained that opposition lawmakers attending another parliament address “turned their heads away ... and refused to shake hands.”
In his martial law declaration, Yoon labeled the opposition “anti-state elements” intent on insurrection, saying the decree was required “to safeguard constitutional order.”
Yesterday’s hearing is widely expected to be the last one before the court rules whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, a move that would trigger a fresh presidential election within 60 days.
Outside, Yoon’s supporters held “Stop the Steal” signs.
They have borrowed US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric to support unproven claims that South Korean elections — dominated by the opposition — were manipulated by shadowy foreign forces.
Much of Yoon’s impeachment trial has centered on the question of whether he violated the constitution by declaring martial law, which is reserved for national emergencies or times of war.
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