573 Political Scientists Declare "Orderly Resignation Is Deception... Impeach Yoon" in Signed Political Statement

Speaker Woo Won-shik is presenting the impeachment motion against the president after the special investigation bill on Kim Gun-hee was rejected at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

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573 political scientists from domestic and international universities issued a signed political statement urging the re-promotion of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol.

In the "Political Scientists' Political Statement" distributed that afternoon, they stated, "The emergency martial law declared by Yoon Seok-yeol on December 3 is undoubtedly an act of rebellion," and pointed out, "Yoon Seok-yeol threatened citizens' fundamental rights with martial law that does not meet the constitutional requirements and attempted to dissolve the National Assembly, which even emergency martial law cannot infringe upon."

They continued, "Fortunately, due to the efforts of awakened citizens, conscientious frontline soldiers and police officers, and some members of the National Assembly, Yoon Seok-yeol's rebellion failed," adding, "Yoon Seok-yeol must be duly punished, and that is the wish of the entire nation. There is no method other than impeachment."

They criticized, "Those who prioritize protecting the president's spouse over protecting the state and the people are now trying to deceive the public with a 'orderly resignation,'" and stated, "However, Yoon Seok-yeol is a flagrante delicto of rebellion, a crime from which even the president, who is immune from criminal prosecution regardless of the crime committed, cannot escape. Having an unqualified person in the presidential office brings misfortune to the state and the people, no matter how much he retreats to the back room."

They further remarked, "In a presidential system, by what constitutional authority do the prime minister and the ruling party lead state affairs?" and criticized, "Even if the ruling and opposition parties agree to form a new cabinet, who would accept an appointment letter bearing the name of the ringleader of the rebellion? The president's second-line retreat is a deception."

They also stated, "It is illegal and a state power abuse for someone other than the president to act on behalf of the president in state affairs," and warned, "Shortening the term or resigning a few months later is worrisome as it entrusts the state to an unqualified person. Even a few days or weeks is unacceptable."

They emphasized, "Impeachment is not a suspension of the constitutional order but a restoration of constitutional order," and said, "Presidential impeachment is a mechanism to correct the state when the president, who should protect the state and constitution and cultivate the people's happiness, betrays the people's trust."

The political scientists added, "Members of the National Assembly who deny the legitimacy of impeachment or obstruct it are forces that hinder the restoration of constitutional order," and stated, "We will educate about Yoon Seok-yeol and the anti-democratic behavior of ruling party members who invalidated the impeachment vote in our classrooms."

They demanded ▲ all members of the National Assembly promptly reintroduce the impeachment motion ▲ an apology from People Power Party members for their absence in the impeachment vote ▲ participation of People Power Party members in the impeachment vote ▲ all members of the National Assembly to pass the impeachment motion and implement measures to restore democracy.

As of 4:47 p.m. that day, the number of political scientists participating in this political statement was counted at 573, all of whom were listed by name in the statement.

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