- South Korea’s President Yoon defends his decision to declare martial law last week
- Yoon says it was a measure to protect the country from “pro-North Korean forces”
- The short-lived martial law plunged the country into chaos
- A second impeachment vote is being readied for Saturday
South Korea’s President Yoon defends martial law decision
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has defended his decision to declare a short-lived martial law, saying it was a measure to protect the country’s democracy.
The beleaguered president, who is under criminal investigation for alleged insurrection, declared martial law last week, stating he wanted to rid the country of “pro-North Korean forces,” in a move that plunged the country into political turmoil.
Yoon prepared to ‘fight to the end’
In a televised statement, Yoon accused the opposition of attempting to remove him from office.
“I will fight to the end, to prevent the forces and criminal groups that have been responsible for paralysing the country’s government and disrupting the nation’s constitutional order from threatening the future of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon said.
Several of Yoon’s top officials have already been arrested, detained and questioned about their role in imposing martial law on the country.
