South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has rejected accusations of mutiny following his imposition of martial law, describing the claims as unfounded.
Speaking to the nation in a televised address, Yoon argued that his actions were constitutional and necessary to safeguard the country. “To view the emergency measures to save the country as an act of civil war is to put our constitution and legal system at serious risk,” he said. The president emphasized that martial law was a “highly calibrated political judgment” made to protect national stability.
Yoon criticized opposition efforts to portray him as a criminal, warning that such political forces could harm South Korea if they gained power. He accused the opposition of undermining national security, stating, “It is not clear whose party they are and whose country this parliament is.” Despite mounting political tensions, the president vowed to confront any efforts to impeach him, asserting that he would fight “with integrity” alongside the public.
In a surprising shift, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, later called for Yoon’s impeachment, marking a dramatic reversal from the party’s earlier stance favoring his voluntary resignation. This development underscores the escalating political crisis surrounding Yoon’s controversial decision.
