South Korea’s ex-PM and other politicians accused of ‘supporting’ martial law
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Protesters attending a rally in Seoul supporting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and denouncing opposition party's politicians on Dec 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
SEOUL – While most politicians berated South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for an “unconstitutional and illegal” declaration of martial law, a handful of conservative politicians expressed their support for the beleaguered President.
One of the biggest names to openly support the President’s move is Mr Hwang Kyo-ahn, a member of the ruling People Power Party who was prime minister under former president Park Geun-hye.
On the coat-tails of Mr Yoon declaring martial law on the night of Dec 3, Mr Hwang wrote in a Facebook post that the ruling party should join the President in what he claimed was an action to “wipe out anti-state forces”.
In a second post, he wrote: “Arrest National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Arrest People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon who is openly hindering the presidential measures.”
In his latest post, written on the afternoon of Dec 4, he said he believes Mr Yoon to have “chosen martial law” in a situation where the “pro-North forces” were bringing down the country. He claimed that the opposition’s majority in the National Assembly is “a fake number” – based on the claims that the parliamentary elections were rigged.
Busan city councilman Park Jong-cheol was more explicit in his support for Mr Yoon
Immediately after Mr Yoon’s announcement, Mr Park at 11.16pm wrote that he “actively supports and sympathises with the declaration of martial law”. He echoed Mr Hwang in saying that pro-North “spies” should be weeded out.
He expressed discontent on the morning of Dec 4 with the martial law being lifted after the National Assembly voted to end it, saying he laments the current situation.
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo did not express his support for the President or the martial law but said he understood “Yoon’s loyalty”. He also described Mr Yoon’s actions as “making a scene” and that he had been reckless.
Mr Hong’s comment was decried by an umbrella group of civic groups in Daegu, who held a press conference in front of the city hall and said the mayor was downplaying the gravity of the situation. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
