Lee Jae-myung: "Crisis is an Opportunity... Please Join the Journey to Restore Democratic Republic"

"Yoon, Did Not Meet Any Requirements for Declaring Martial Law"
"Military and Police, Return Quickly to Your Original Positions"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "I hope the people will join us on this solemn journey to restore democratic republicanism."

On the 4th, around 1:30 a.m., Lee met with reporters in front of the National Assembly plenary session hall and said, "A crisis is an opportunity," adding, "This 'illegal and unconstitutional martial law declaration' will serve as a decisive turning point to break the vicious cycle and return to a normal society." He continued, "Many of us, including myself and Democratic Party lawmakers, will risk our lives to protect democracy, the future of this country, and the safety, lives, and property of the people," emphasizing again, "People, please rest assured."

President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a state of emergency in an urgent statement on the night of the 3rd. In the early morning of the 4th, after the passage of a resolution demanding the lifting of the state of emergency at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his position. Photo by Yonhap News

He stated, "President Yoon Seok-yeol's martial law declaration this time did not meet any of the substantial requirements for declaring emergency martial law as stipulated by the Constitution and the Martial Law Act," and added, "According to the Martial Law Act, the declaration of emergency martial law must go through a Cabinet meeting resolution, but this was not done." He further noted, "Since it is procedurally and substantively unconstitutional and illegal, it is null and void from the outset, and the National Assembly has also passed a resolution to lift it in accordance with the Constitution and the Martial Law Act."

Furthermore, he said, "Following an unconstitutional and null presidential order is illegal in itself," and "Even obeying an illegal order from a superior makes one an accomplice." He also urged, "From this moment on, I hope the military personnel and police officers swiftly return to their original positions," adding, "Those who command you should not be the president who declared illegal martial law, but the people, the sovereigns."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.