{"id":2208538,"date":"2025-02-27T18:26:50","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:26:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208538"},"modified":"2025-02-27T18:26:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T09:26:50","slug":"yoons-final-martial-law-defense-desperation-or-constitutional-overreach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/yoons-final-martial-law-defense-desperation-or-constitutional-overreach\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoon\u2019s final martial law defense: Desperation or constitutional overreach?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a 67-minute final defense statement on Tuesday, concluding 10 rounds of Constitutional Court hearings, 84 days after declaring martial law on Dec. 3.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In his long, detailed speech, Yoon framed his Dec. 3 martial law declaration as a \u201cdesperate\u201d plea to the nation rather than an attempt to upset the constitutional order, while shifting blame to the opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Korea Pro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> analyzed key quotes from Yoon&#8217;s defense speech, categorizing them into four main themes that reveal his legal and political strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>REDEFINING MARTIAL LAW AS LEGITIMATE COMMUNICATION TOOL<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe Dec. 3 martial law is completely different from martial laws of the past. It was not a martial law that attempted to suppress citizens with military force, but an appeal to the public, borrowing the form of martial law. The declaration\u2026 was to announce that this country is now in a national crisis, and it is a desperate appeal for sovereign citizens to face the situation and join together to overcome it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This reinterpretation of martial law as a symbolic communication tool creates a fundamental constitutional problem. The ROK Constitution and relevant laws define martial law for specific security emergencies, not as a communication tool. The court will likely reject this novel interpretation as it contradicts the legal framework governing emergency powers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe opposition party claims I declared martial law to establish a dictatorship and extend my rule. This is a conspiracy frame trying to impose charges of insurrection. If that were truly my intention, would I have deployed only 280 unarmed troops? Would I have declared martial law on a weekday rather than a weekend and ordered troops to move after declaring martial law? \u2026 Is there such a thing as a two-hour coup? Have you ever seen a coup that is announced to the entire world and all citizens via broadcast, and then see troops withdrawn and stopped when the National Assembly voted for it to stop?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: While this argument appears to create reasonable doubt about Yoon\u2019s intentions, it could backfire legally because it implicitly concedes that he declared martial law even though there was not a genuine security situation that warranted it. By defending the implementation as too limited to constitute an attempted coup, Yoon inadvertently undermined the constitutional requirement that martial law must be declared to address an imminent military threat or insurrection \u2014 not as a political messaging tool.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Constitutional Court may view this as confirming that martial law was used symbolically rather than to address an actual security crisis, which is a purpose not authorized by the Constitution. The judiciary could interpret this as an after-the-fact rationalization that actually underscores the absence of constitutional compliance, as martial law powers are meant exclusively for genuine national emergencies, not brief political demonstrations of authority that can be quickly abandoned when challenged.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2207867\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2207867\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/1-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2207867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/1-3.png 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/1-3-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/01\/1-3-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2207867\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Lawmakers&#8217; aides and citizens try to stop martial law troops from entering the National Assembly building, Dec. 3, 2024 | Image: Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung via Twitter<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCabinet members began arriving in succession from 8:30 p.m., and I explained the martial law to them, while the Defense Minister distributed the martial law declaration document outlining the overview of martial law. Cabinet members expressed concerns about economic and diplomatic difficulties, and I, as president, explained that I disagreed with my Cabinet, and that the country was in an emergency situation requiring emergency measures.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This detailed account of the Cabinet meeting addresses procedural challenges to the martial law declaration. By suggesting that from his perspective, a proper Cabinet meeting occurred with discussion and distribution of documents, Yoon attempted to demonstrate procedural compliance, critical for the constitutional evaluation of his actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe claim that I ordered the arrest of National Assembly members or to drag them out of the plenary chamber \u2014 this is a completely absurd claim. Logically, what would this accomplish? Even if members were arrested and dragged out to delay or prevent the lifting of martial law, what could be done next with the whole nation and world watching?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This directly addresses one of the most serious allegations \u2014 interference with parliamentary functions \u2014 by appealing to \u201ccommon sense\u201d and his claimed perception at the time of practical impossibility, likely aimed at creating reasonable doubt about specific intent to obstruct the legislature, which would be a clear constitutional violation if proven.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI decided on martial law when I saw that I could no longer neglect this nation\u2019s life-or-death crisis. I wanted to inform the sovereign citizens about the opposition party\u2019s anti-national viciousness and appeal to them to stop these people with vigilant monitoring and criticism. I declared martial law with a desperate heart to prevent the paralysis of state affairs and collapse of the liberal democratic constitutional order, and to normalize state functions.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This addresses the core constitutional question of martial law\u2019s purpose. By framing martial law as a last resort to preserve constitutional order rather than undermine it, Yoon attempted to align his actions with constitutional principles. However, the vagueness of the \u201ccrisis\u201d and the lack of an imminent military threat means that this argument faces significant legal hurdles under Korea\u2019s constitutional framework for emergency powers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI cannot understand which part of these measures constitutes rebellion or a crime. If martial law itself is illegal, why does the martial law statute exist, and why is there a martial law office at the Joint Chiefs of Staff?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This argument attempts to establish the legitimacy of martial law as a constitutional tool by pointing to its institutional framework. By highlighting that martial law is codified in law and has dedicated administrative structures, Yoon tried to create a distinction between the legal concept of martial law and its particular implementation in his case. However, this argument sidesteps the core issue that while martial law exists as a legal mechanism, its use is constitutionally restricted to specific circumstances of military threat or insurrection that opponents argue were not present in this case.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_2207637\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2207637\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/featured.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" class=\"wp-image-2207637 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/featured.png 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/featured-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/featured-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2207637\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>President Yoon Suk-yeol inspects the military during South Korea&#8217;s Armed Forces Day, driving past a Hyunmoo-5 missile, Oct. 1, 2024 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>PERCEIVED NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS AS JUSTIFICATION<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen examining the national situation as president with access to much information, one sees things that others don\u2019t see, problems that aren\u2019t readily apparent. Things that seem fine now but will soon become major crises come into the president\u2019s view. I saw the reality of this country heading toward the edge of a cliff, like a frog in slowly boiling water, unaware of the reality before its eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This metaphorical passage positions Yoon as a vigilant leader taking on a burden regarding national security intelligence he allegedly could not publicize. While the evidence is thin, it appeals to those who believe in unseen threats and portrays Yoon as a visionary defender of democracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNorth Korea and external forces threatening our sovereignty, and anti-state forces within our society are coordinating to seriously threaten national security and continuity. They are driving our society into conflict and confusion through fake news, public opinion manipulation and propaganda.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This security-focused narrative addresses traditional conservative concerns about North Korean threats, linking them directly to the opposition party. Yoon appealed to historical anxieties about infiltration and subversion, potentially resonating with older voters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This narrative may backfire, however, if the justices decide that his distorted view on domestic espionage and anti-state activities\u2019 widespread nature led to a decision to declare the state of emergency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cJust in 2023, the case of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions\u2019 spy ring, once exposed, easily confirms the existence of anti-state forces. They met with North Korean operatives, received direct orders and passed military facility information to North Korea. Following North Korean orders, they conducted general strikes, opposed U.S. President Biden\u2019s visit, opposed U.S.-ROK joint exercises and conducted anti-government demonstrations regarding the Itaewon disaster.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: By citing specific intelligence cases, Yoon attempted to substantiate his claim of national security threats justifying emergency measures. However, this argument is legally problematic on multiple levels. First, the constitutional standard for martial law requires imminent military danger or insurrection, not espionage activities. Second, by presenting contested intelligence claims as definitive facts without judicial verification, Yoon risks appearing to have acted on unverified intelligence rather than established threats. The Constitutional Court may view this as confirming that he did not meet the high evidentiary threshold required for invoking emergency powers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This reference to the Itaewon disaster could severely backfire with the public. By suggesting that citizens\u2019 grief and anger over a tragedy that claimed many young people\u2019s lives was somehow orchestrated by North Korea, Yoon may appear to be delegitimizing public sentiment and deflecting government responsibility. Many citizens who lost loved ones or participated in these demonstrations will likely be deeply offended.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2208540\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2208540\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/1-14.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2208540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/1-14.png 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/1-14-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/1-14-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2208540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>A makeshift memorial for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush located at Itaewon Station&#8217;s Exit 1, Nov. 11, 2022 | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe security issues with the National Election Commission\u2019s computer systems are directly related to election fairness and are about protecting a core public asset of our liberal democratic system. Moreover, given the large quantity of fake fraudulent ballots revealed in election lawsuits, and statistical and mathematical evidence making the election results difficult to accept, there has been a steady need for transparent inspection of the NEC\u2019s computer systems.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This statement advances a narrative about election irregularities in line with online conspiracy theories, while referencing vague \u201cstatistical and mathematical evidence.\u201d By suggesting past elections may have been compromised, Yoon attempted to frame his martial law declaration as defending electoral integrity rather than undermining it, appealing to supporters who believe in election fraud theories.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal impact: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This argument presents significant legal risks as it suggests martial law was used to address disputed election integrity issues \u2014 a purpose far outside the constitutional parameters for emergency powers. The Constitutional Court will likely scrutinize these claims carefully, particularly as the National Election Commission has repeatedly contested these allegations in court hearings. By advancing contested claims about election integrity as justification for martial law, Yoon effectively admits to using emergency powers for political disputes rather than the constitutionally required imminent security threats, potentially strengthening the case against him. The judiciary will likely require concrete, judicially established facts, not disputed political claims, to justify extraordinary constitutional measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLast year, Chinese individuals were caught flying drones to photograph our military bases, the National Intelligence Service, international airports and U.S. military facilities in Korea. To punish these people for espionage, we need to amend the law, but the majority opposition party is adamantly refusing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This argument attempts to establish the existence of Chinese threats to justify emergency measures, but faces the same constitutional hurdle as his other security claims \u2014 martial law requires imminent military danger, not espionage concerns that would normally be addressed through legislative or law enforcement channels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: By highlighting Chinese espionage activities, Yoon appealed to many conservative voters\u2019 concerns about China\u2019s growing influence. However, presenting legislative disagreements about espionage laws as justification for martial law may appear disproportionate to progressive voters, and the statement also risks ROK-China relations in a scenario where Yoon is restored to the presidency.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs you all know, in 2023, national institutions including the National Election Commission suffered serious hacking by North Korea. The NEC, despite being notified of this fact by the National Intelligence Service, unlike other state institutions, failed to properly respond to inspections. When they reluctantly agreed to some inspections, serious security problems were revealed, which is why we sent a small military force as a screening measure for the NEC\u2019s computer systems.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This attempts to justify the deployment of troops to the Election Commission \u2014 which Yoon admitted directly \u2014 as a national security measure rather than election interference. However, using martial law to address cybersecurity concerns at the Election Commission likely exceeds constitutional limits on emergency powers, which are intended for imminent military threats or insurrection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe opposition cut the budget for key defense items. The opposition cut by a large margin the budget for surveillance assets, which are the core of the \u2018Kill Chain\u2019 for preemptive strikes on North Korean nuclear and missile bases \u2026 The drone defense budget \u2026 was cut, effectively terminating the project. It\u2019s curious enough to wonder who ordered them to select and cut only these core budgets so precisely.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These passages are part of Yoon\u2019s likely intention to show his perceived national security threat emanating from the opposition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These specific budget figures shift blame to the opposition while positioning Yoon as the defender of national security. The detailed nature of these claims makes them appear factual and authoritative, potentially convincing security-minded citizens that the opposition endangered national defense. The insinuation about external influence on the DP\u2019s budget cuts suggests the opposition is acting in North Korea\u2019s interests without explicitly making that accusation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2208541\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2208541\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/2-10.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2208541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/2-10.png 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/2-10-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/2-10-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2208541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>South Korea unveils its domestically produced Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) at Seoul Air Base, Sept. 26, 2023 | Image: Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>THE OPPOSITION IS A REAL THREAT TO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe opposition party has been busy defending the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and after stripping the National Intelligence Service of its counter-espionage authority, is now advocating for the abolition of the National Security Law. They even cut the entire special activities budget used for police counter-espionage to zero. In a word, they\u2019re saying don\u2019t catch spies.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The claim about counter-espionage funding cuts could resonate with security-conscious voters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe opposition party has impeached not only Cabinet ministers but also the Broadcasting and Communications Commission chairman, prosecutors and the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection \u2014 impeachment after impeachment after impeachment. The grounds for impeachment were completely irrelevant. They even impeached a minister for glaring at the opposition party leader.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This portrayal of the opposition as abusing impeachment powers serves to create equivalency between Yoon\u2019s actions and opposition conduct, although generalizing some of the incidents such as the glaring incident.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe constitutional authority of the National Assembly is given to be used for the people. If they abuse that authority to paralyze government functions for their political purposes, this is nothing short of constitutional disorder that collapses the constitutional order \u2026 The majority opposition party\u2019s various national constitutional violations are based on perceptions that are far from the spirit of the liberal democratic constitution in terms of national identity and foreign relations. Therefore, serial impeachments, legislative and budget excesses to bring down the directly elected president are destroying the liberal democratic constitutional order from any perspective.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This attempts to reframe the constitutional narrative by claiming the opposition\u2019s actions constitute the true threat to constitutional order. This \u201ctu quoque\u201d (you also) defense aims to persuade judges that parliamentary overreach, not presidential actions, endangered the ROK constitutional system. However, the justices will likely evaluate each institutions\u2019 ( including the President) compliance with the Constitution independently \u2014\u00a0 whether each institution acted within its own constitutional limitations, not whether one branch&#8217;s alleged excesses justify another\u2019s emergency actions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2207383\" style=\"width: 1880px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2207383\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/1-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1870\" height=\"1000\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2207383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/1-1.png 1870w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/1-1-935x500.png 935w, https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/1-1-1255x670.png 1255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1870px) 100vw, 1870px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2207383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol meets with former President Park Geun-hye, Nov. 7, 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>PRESIDENTIAL PLEDGES 2.0 AND PERSONAL TOUCH<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf I am restored to my duties, I plan to focus the latter part of my term on promoting constitutional amendments and political reforms to tailor the 1987 system to our current needs and pass on a proper country to future generations. I have had plans from the beginning of my presidency to pursue constitutional amendments and political reforms like electoral system reform in the middle and latter parts of my term.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This statement aims to present Yoon as a reformer committed to improving the ROK constitutional system \u2014 positioning himself as a leader committed to the constitutional values. By promising to focus on long-term reforms rather than seeking retribution, he attempted to appear statesmanlike and focused on national interests.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAbove all, I can clearly state that it was never a choice for my benefit \u2026\u00a0 I was already in the position of president, the pinnacle of power. The easiest and most comfortable path for a president is to not initiate difficult and dangerous actions, to compromise appropriately with various social forces, to say pleasing things to everyone, and to spend the five-year term peacefully.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Legal significance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This addresses the impeachment standard of \u201cserious violation\u201d by attempting to negate personal benefit motives. By claiming he had nothing to gain personally, Yoon tried to undermine accusations of attempting to grab power, which would constitute an impeachable offense.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-tags\"><a href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/tag\/domestic-politics\/\"><span class=\"tag\">Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a 67-minute final defense statement on Tuesday, concluding 10 rounds of Constitutional Court hearings, 84 days after declaring martial law on Dec. 3. In his long, detailed speech, Yoon framed his Dec. 3 martial law declaration as a \u201cdesperate\u201d plea to the nation rather than an attempt to upset the constitutional [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2208539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[27],"class_list":["post-2208538","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-domestic-politics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Yoon\u2019s final martial law defense: Desperation or constitutional overreach? - Korea Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/yoons-final-martial-law-defense-desperation-or-constitutional-overreach\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Yoon\u2019s final martial law defense: Desperation or constitutional overreach? - Korea Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a 67-minute final defense statement on Tuesday, concluding 10 rounds of Constitutional Court hearings, 84 days after declaring martial law on Dec. 3. 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