South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has blamed the main opposition Democratic Party for his controversial martial law decree on December 3, accusing them of attempting to “destroy” his government. Speaking at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, Yoon cited opposition lawmakers’ refusal to applaud his budget speech as an example of their obstruction, as reported by the Seoul-based Segye Ilbo newspaper.
Yoon claimed that opposition legislators deliberately boycotted his speech, leaving parliament half-empty, and used their actions to justify his emergency measures. He previously alleged election fraud as another reason for declaring martial law. However, Kim Yong-bin, secretary general of the National Election Commission, dismissed these claims, while Baek Jong-wook, a former intelligence official, declined to comment.
Yoon is under criminal investigation for abuse of power and insurrection, making him the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. Suspended since December 14 after parliament voted for his impeachment, he remains in detention following his January 19 arrest. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether to remove or reinstate him, with the final hearing scheduled for Thursday, though additional sessions may be held.
