South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has vowed to “fight until the very last minute,” defending his controversial decision to declare martial law last week and deploy troops to the nation’s parliament.
“I will fight with the people until the very last minute,” Yoon said in a televised address on Thursday. “I apologize again to the people who must have been surprised and anxious due to the martial law. Please trust me in my warm loyalty to the people.”
The declaration of martial law on December 3-4 shocked the nation and its allies, leading to an insurrection probe into Yoon’s inner circle. The South Korean leader is currently banned from foreign travel as part of the investigation.
The probe has intensified rapidly, with police attempting to raid Yoon’s office on Wednesday to investigate his brief imposition of martial law. Security guards blocked their entry, prompting the main opposition Democratic Party to warn they would file legal complaints for insurrection against the presidential staff and security if they continued to obstruct law enforcement.
Despite mounting pressure, Yoon stated he would “not avoid legal and political responsibility regarding the declaration of martial law,” accusing the opposition of pushing the country into a “national crisis.”
“The National Assembly, dominated by the large opposition party, has become a monster that destroys the constitutional order of liberal democracy,” Yoon said.
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South Korean President Yoon vows to fight 'until the very last minute'
cgtn.com
