SEOUL, Dec 12 (Alliance News): South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to fight against his political opponents, calling them “anti-state forces” in a fiery televised address on Thursday.
Undeterred by widespread criticism, President Yoon declared, “I will fight to the end,” emphasizing his resolve to confront any impeachment efforts or investigations head-on.
In his address, the president defended his controversial declaration of martial law, asserting it was a necessary legal move to protect democracy.
He also repeated his unsubstantiated claim that North Korea had hacked the country’s elections, further fueling the tension between his administration and the opposition.
His comments come amid growing pressure from his ruling People Power Party (PPP), whose leader recently proposed a party policy to impeach the president.
“His address was akin to confessing to insurrection,” said PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, signaling the growing divide within Yoon’s party.
President Yoon faces a second impeachment vote in parliament, which could lead to a constitutional review of his presidency if successful. This could throw South Korea into political limbo for months.
In addition to the impeachment threat, Yoon is under criminal investigation for his declaration of martial law on December 3, a decision he rescinded hours later after it sparked a political crisis.
Despite claims that “criminal groups” had paralyzed the government, he failed to provide concrete evidence of wrongdoing by the opposition.
President Yoon also reiterated allegations of a hacking attack by North Korea on South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC), suggesting it had compromised the integrity of the April 2024 election.
However, the NEC has denied the claims, asserting that election manipulation was “effectively impossible.”
Yoon’s remarks are part of an escalating battle with the opposition Democratic Party, which has repeatedly challenged his administration.
Although his party suffered a significant defeat in the April election, President Yoon remains defiant, calling for his opponents to be stopped at all costs.
