Hwang Kyo-an, Min Kyung-wook, Jeon Yeo-ok... Why Do They Support Yoon's Martial Law? [Curiosity Lab]

by Lee Kyungho

Published 05 Dec.2024 09:20(KST)

Updated 05 Dec.2024 15:56(KST)

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 3rd, "I hereby declare martial law to eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the free constitutional order." President Yoon mentioned, "We will rebuild and protect the Free Republic of Korea" and "We must eradicate the root cause of national ruin, the anti-state forces." Even as the midnight martial law drama ended with its lifting and the entire country moved beyond martial law into an impeachment crisis, there are those who support or defend President Yoon's martial law. What could be the reason?

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn Facebook

◆ Yoon's "Eradication of Pro-North Korean Forces" and Hwang Kyo-ahn's "Fight Against Pro-North Korean Leftists"

At the forefront of martial law support is former Liberty Korea Party leader and presidential candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn. He served as acting president when President Park Geun-hye was impeached and has claimed election fraud. On his Facebook, Hwang defined the essence of martial law as a "fight against pro-North Korean leftists." He said, "I do not exactly support martial law itself, but the president chose martial law in a situation where pro-North Korean leftists are completely destroying the country. Therefore, the People Power Party was told to join in." He added, "If we do not eradicate the pro-North Korean leftists, our country will head towards socialism and communism," and said, "Look at what they are doing to shield criminals. They have taken control of the National Assembly through fraudulent elections." He continued, "Now, the only methods left are investigations into deep-rooted evils and election fraud. If election fraud is not investigated, the country will fall into the hands of pro-North Korean leftists." He warned that if President Yoon leaves the party, Kim Yong-hyun is punished, and the cabinet resigns, it will be the same as during Park Geun-hye's impeachment, and impeachment must never happen.

On October 23, 2023, Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, and Min Kyung-wook, former member of the National Assembly, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, raising allegations of election fraud in the 21st general election. Yonhap News

◆ Min Kyung-wook: "Martial Law Is Not Unconstitutional... Must Not Be Abused"

Former Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook said, "Martial law is a constitutionally permitted measure and is not unconstitutional," but added, "however, checks and monitoring are necessary to prevent abuse of martial law." On Facebook, he introduced cases of martial law in Myanmar in 2023, Ukraine in 2022, and the Philippines in 2017, stating that "martial law was used as a measure to maintain national security and public order," but also noted, "The declaration of martial law and related measures can restrict citizens' fundamental rights, so caution and legitimacy are required in its implementation."

According to Min's claims, on February 2, 2023, the Myanmar military regime declared martial law in 37 townships across 8 states where anti-military resistance was strong. As a result, all administrative and judicial affairs in those areas came under the command of military commanders, and punishments such as the death penalty and life imprisonment became possible through military trials. On February 24, 2022, due to Russia's invasion, Ukraine declared a national emergency and imposed martial law. This strengthened military control and partially restricted citizens' fundamental rights. On May 23, 2017, Philippine President Duterte declared martial law in the southern Mindanao region to suppress an armed rebellion. This measure was extended until the end of 2019, lasting about 2 years and 7 months.

Jeon Yeo-ok, former member of the Grand National Party. Photo by Channel A

◆ Jeon Yeo-ok: "I Will Protect Yoon and the Republic of Korea to the End"

Former lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok wrote on her blog, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law informed the people of the dire state of this country," introducing the phrase that "the National Assembly is full of criminals and anti-state forces aiming to overthrow the system are running rampant." She then asked, "Do I agree? Is the Democratic Party a force for democracy?" and said, "They use the word democracy to try to sell this country cheaply to North Korea and China. They seem like spies in the National Assembly, like industrial spies who sell our corporate secrets to China for money." She added, "I will protect President Yoon Suk-yeol and the Republic of Korea we built to the end."

Attorney Kim So-yeon, who resigned after providing free legal defense to Myung Tae-kyun, wrote on Facebook, "The president declared martial law according to the powers defined in the constitution and lifted it in response to the National Assembly's request as per the constitution." She strongly condemned "the pitiful ruling and opposition lawmakers in Yeouido who forced the president of the Republic of Korea to make such a choice, the legislative rampage, budget cuts equivalent to a national emergency, the institutional impeachment crisis that paralyzes investigative agencies, and the criminal-shielding National Assembly." She added, "I hope the president only looks to the people and follows his path," and said, "I will support and encourage him to the end. Meanwhile, the Gangnam leftists who sneer worrying about the stock market and exchange rates are truly disgusting."

Myung Tae-gyun, a key figure in the allegations of Kim Kun-hee's involvement in candidate selection and the illegal opinion poll allegations of the Future Korea Research Institute, is seen leaving after completing an investigation at the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office in Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of November 8. On the left is attorney Kim So-yeon, who later resigned. Photo by Yonhap News.

◆ Busan City Council Member Deletes Support Post and Apologizes... Conservative Commentator: "Yoon Has a Gambler's Spirit"

Park Jong-cheol, a Busan City Council member (People Power Party, Gijang County), posted on social media at 11:16 p.m. on the 3rd, shortly after the declaration of martial law, stating, "I actively support and empathize with the president's martial law declaration to eradicate pro-North Korean spy forces and protect the Free Republic of Korea by preventing administrative paralysis." He added, "Despite family mourning, I ask for understanding and will travel to Seoul tomorrow to participate," and said, "I actively join with patriotic will and once again pay respect to President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision." On the morning of the 4th, Park posted an additional message saying, "The major aides and the ruling party leadership were unaware, and after a 6-hour incident, martial law was lifted, and everything returned to normal." As the controversy grew, the post was deleted. Park apologized on the 5th.

Jeon Gwang-hoon, Honorary Chairman of the National Revolution and advisor to the Liberty Unification Party, is giving a speech at the Pan-Conservative Union rally held on the afternoon of the 4th at 3 PM in front of Daehanmun, across from City Hall Plaza, and around the Gwanghwamun area. Provided by Liberty Unification Party

Kim Gap-soo, a writer and political commentator who runs the YouTube channel 'Historical Trends Research Institute,' wrote on Facebook, "I was shocked when I heard the news from a friend late at night yesterday. Martial law succeeds only if done by villains, but the Yoon president I know is at least not a villain." He said, "President Yoon could not have been unaware that the National Assembly would immediately pass a resolution to lift martial law. Although martial law troops were deployed to the National Assembly, the scale was much smaller than expected. They did not block lawmakers and aides from entering the National Assembly." He continued, "As expected, the National Assembly passed a resolution to lift martial law, and it did not take long for President Yoon to accept it," and evaluated, "It was a desperate measure and, in a way, a gamble." He said impeachment is a double-edged sword and added, "President Yoon surprisingly has a gambler's spirit. He has never lost a gamble so far," and assessed, "He chose to die standing rather than live kneeling." He concluded, "At this point, it is uncertain whether President Yoon will survive or not. Whatever happens, I intend to continue supporting him as I have."

Meanwhile, on the 4th at 3 p.m., a pro-conservative coalition rally was held around Gwanghwamun, including in front of Daehanmun opposite City Hall, in response to impeachment rallies. Jeon Kwang-hoon, a national revolutionary leader and pastor of Sarang Jeil Church, who serves as an advisor to the Liberty Unification Party, said, "The current call for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment is distinctly different from the time of Park Geun-hye's impeachment when the Gwanghwamun faction did not exist," and added, "We will resist and block any attempts to impeach President Yoon in order to eradicate the leftists who have ruined the country so far."