South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is standing firm on his decision to declare martial law in response to what he described as the opposition's "reckless impeachment actions." Despite his insistence that the move was constitutional and necessary to safeguard national stability, his stance has sparked increasing criticism both from within his own party and the public, as reported by Hankook Ilbo.

Yoon’s remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, framed the martial law declaration as a legitimate response to the Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) impeachment push. The president dismissed allegations of wrongdoing, defending the action as being within legal boundaries and necessary to counter what he referred to as the opposition’s "abuse of impeachment powers."

However, his comments have been met with concern from within his ruling party. Representative Jeong Sung-kook expressed unease about the president’s complacency in the face of public and political backlash. He warned that the severity of the situation was not being adequately conveyed to Yoon, leaving some party members questioning the administration’s ability to address the growing crisis.

This internal discord is further compounded by mounting calls for accountability, with demands for the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun which reports indicate has now been met, and even the possibility of a full cabinet reshuffle. Despite this, Yoon remains resolute, with no indications that he will step down. The president’s refusal to entertain questions about his resignation has led to mounting tension within the PPP, as some members contemplate impeachment as a way to restore public confidence, while others push for alternative strategies.

The situation has escalated to the point where the DPK presented an impeachment motion at midnight on December 4/5, accusing Yoon of violating constitutional and legal norms. Amidst this political turmoil, concerns have also been raised over alleged attempts by the Capital Defense Command’s special task force to detain key political figures, adding another layer of controversy to the unfolding crisis.