South Korean President Defends Military Emergency Decision, Claims In Accordance With Constitution And Law

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. (Wikimedia Commons/DEMA/Lee Kyung Won)

JAKARTA - The South Korean president defended his decision to declare a military emergency on Tuesday, claiming it was in accordance with the constitution and law.

President Yoon said there was "no mistake" in the military's emergency declaration, stressing it was solely meant to prevent what he described as "reckless impeachment measures" of the main Democratic Party's (DPK) opposition.

His remarks, delivered during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the leader of the ruling People's Power Party (PPP), Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism in the party for not being in touch with public sentiment, quoted from The Korea Times December 5.

According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, President Yoon reiterated during a meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office that martial law declarations comply with constitutional and legal procedures.

He rejected allegations of irregularities, framed the move as a necessary response to what he called "absorption of impeachment authority" by opposition parties.

When asked by reporters whether a military emergency served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from the interpretation, saying, "Military emergencies cannot be used as mere warnings."

MP Jeong Sung-kook of the ruling PPP expressed concern over the government's attitude. "

It seems that the seriousness of the situation is not conveyed properly to the president," he said, calling the perception in the presidential office "too complacent."

Despite growing calls for accountability, including demands for the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle, President Yoon remains steadfast, officials said. Meeting participants, including Han and DPR Speaker Chu Kyung-ho, refrained from directly raising the issue of President Yoon's resignation from the presidency.

However, Han confirmed earlier that day, he had submitted the demands for President Yoon's resignation to the Presidential Chief of Staff, Jeong Jin-seok.

During the meeting, Han also voiced concern about allegations that the Capital City Defense Command special task force was mobilized to detain key political figures, including himself, Chairman of the National Council Woo Won-shik, and DPK Leader Lee Jae-myung.

While some senior members of the ruling party vowed to reject any opposition attempts to shorten Yoon's term of office, the claim further added to political tensions.

An official at the presidential office described the discussion as "serious and thorough," denying a significant dissent between the president and his party members.

The DPK will file a impeachment motion against Yoon in the middle of the night on December 5, arguing that the military emergency declaration violates constitutional and legal boundaries.

Reactions within PPP are still divided, with some MPs considering impeachment as a viable option, while others advocate alternative measures to regain public trust.

When asked about his position on impeachment, Han declined to comment, saying, "I would not respond to such questions."