Top Stories 24/12/12 S. Korea's Yoon vows to fight 'until the very last minute'

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S. Korea's Yoon vows to fight 'until the very last minute'

The leader is barred from foreign travel as part of a probe into his inner circle over dramatic events of Dec. 3-4

Protesters calling for the impeachment of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and the dissolution of the People's Power Party gather at the entrance to the presidential office in Seoul on Dec. 12. (Photo: AFP)

By AFP, Seoul

Published: December 12, 2024 12:13 PM GMT

Updated: December 12, 2024 12:26 PM GMT

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Dec. 12 to fight "until the very last minute" in a defiant address defending his shock decision to declare martial law and deploy troops to the country's parliament last week.

The South Korean leader is barred from foreign travel as part of a probe into his inner circle over the dramatic events of December 3-4 that stunned Seoul's allies and threw the country into some of its deepest political turmoil in years.

Yoon, staring down an impeachment vote in parliament on Dec. 14, vowed to "fight with the people until the very last minute."

He went on the attack against the opposition, accusing it 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 in his televised address.

Yoon also doubled down on his justification of declaring martial law, which he had said was taken to safeguard South Korea "from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements".

"I apologize again to the people who must have been surprised and anxious due to the martial law," he added.

"Please trust me."

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon urged party members on Dec. 12 to attend parliament and vote "according to their conviction and conscience."

"President Yoon Suk Yeol is no longer able to fulfill his duties as president, and I think that has become clearer and clearer," he said.

The opposition formally submitted a second impeachment motion against Yoon on Dec. 12, following last week's failed attempt to remove him from office after ruling party lawmakers largely boycotted the vote.

The bloc needs eight MPs from the ruling party to vote in favor of the impeachment, and several ruling lawmakers have indicated their intention to do so in the next vote, scheduled for Dec. 14.

To impeach Yoon, two-thirds of the parliament must vote in favor.

'I want to witness history'

South Korea's capital has been rocked by daily protests since last week, with thousands gathering to demand Yoon's resignation.

Kim Jae-hee, 34, said she would be hitting the streets on Dec. 14 to protest for Yoon's impeachment.

"I want to witness history," she said. "I also know a lot of friends who are doing the same."

In North Korea, footage showed students scrolling through photos of anti-Yoon protests posted on the website of the ruling party daily the Rodong Sinmun.

Pyongyang's state media -- which has long hurled insults against Yoon -- has described the South as being in "chaos" following his decision to impose martial law.