Declaration on
South Korea's
Current Political Crisis

On December 3rd, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared an unprecedented and unconstitutional martial law, a day that marks a 45-year regression in South Korea’s democracy. We strongly condemn Yoon Suk-yeol, the chief instigator of this rebellion, for undermining democracy forged through the bloodshed of the people after Chun Doo-hwan’s illegal martial law on May 18, 1980. Despite the people's resistance, Yoon shows that he is capable of waging war against Korean people to conceal the illegal activities of his wife, Kim Keon-hee, and his own. This madness has gone beyond what we can tolerate. 

On December 3rd, the Martial Law Commander issued a proclamation that banned political activities of the National Assembly, imposed press censorship, and trampled on the freedom of the people. Soldiers wielding guns stormed the National Assembly, trampling constitutional democracy under their boots. Under the slogan of "eradicating anti-state forces," Yoon Suk-yeol sought to justify his and Kim Keon-hee’s illegal activities by attempting to impose an unlawful martial law. This act of rebellion instilled terror in the hearts of 50 million South Koreans in real time and paralyzed the country’s society, economy, politics, diplomacy, and national defense. We firmly denounce Yoon Suk-yeol, the chief instigator of this rebellion.

 

In the hope of a long-term dictatorship, Yoon Suk-yeol mobilized the military and the police to break up the National Assembly and the National Election Commission. This constitutes a serious violation of the separation of powers established by the South Korean Constitution. Furthermore, Yoon blocked and detained members of the National Assembly who have the sole authority to demand the lifting of martial law. This act of treason committed by Yoon is a grave assault on the South Korean Constitution.
Over the past two and a half years of his term, Yoon Suk-yeol has consistently infringed upon the human rights and freedoms of the people. He ridiculed the people with his so-called "Biden or Blowing it" gaffe, suppressed the press, and targeted NGOs for investigation under the pretext of anti-government rallies. Even a student’s drawing of the “Yoon Suk-yeol Train” was met with official warnings. Following the Itaewon disaster, in which 153 people were crushed to death, Yoon’s government attempted to cover up the controversy over Marine Corporal Chae’s death. To make matters worse, he appointed Ahn Chang-ho, an opponent of human rights, as chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. While Yoon shouts “freedom” over and over again in public, he silences the media, censors citizens, and suppresses young people and minorities. The Yoon cartel has created “freedom above the law” that applies only to themselves.

 

The People Power Party, the co-conspirators in this treason, has colluded with Yoon Suk-yeol to maintain their grip on the immense powers of the presidency. Their absurd rhetoric about a "well-ordered resignation" is nothing more than a ploy to preserve unconstitutional power. This is a blatant deception and an assault on South Korea’s democratic constitutional order. We will remember and never forgive the atrocities committed by Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Keon-hee, the People Power Party, and all their co-conspirators. Our candlelight for democracy will not be extinguished by the illegal march of military boots. We will fight to the end and we will win.

 

The Brisbane Candlelight Action and the Korean compatriots in Brisbane strongly call for the impeachment, emergency investigation, and the approval of a special investigation into Kim Keon-hee. We demand that all those who conspired with Yoon Suk-yeol, the chief instigator of rebellion, face justice.