Postponement of President Yoon's First Public Engagement Following Martial Law Lift
Click to start listening
Seoul, Dec 4 (NationPress) A meeting that was planned by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking his first public engagement since the lifting of martial law, has been postponed, according to Yoon's office on Wednesday.
The meeting regarding drug responses was meant to take place at the presidential office at 10 a.m., but it has been delayed, as reported by a senior official from the presidential office without offering further particulars, as per Yonhap news agency.
This decision followed Yoon's lifting of the emergency martial law earlier on Wednesday, which came just six hours after he had declared it in a surprising announcement.
The leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to clarify his declaration of emergency martial law and to dismiss Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, whom he blames for the 'disastrous situation'.
Han Dong-hoon commented after Yoon's lifting of martial law during a Cabinet meeting early Wednesday, subsequent to the National Assembly voting against the decree.
Yoon stated that his martial law declaration aimed to combat anti-state forces, accusing the opposition of 'paralyzing' the government with impeachment motions against public officials and undermining the proposed national budget.
'As the ruling party, we feel profoundly apologetic to the public for the current disastrous situation,' Han expressed to reporters at the National Assembly.
'President Yoon must provide a direct explanation of the disastrous situation and ensure that those accountable are strictly held responsible, including the immediate removal of the Defence Minister who advised the martial law,' he continued.
Kim, a former head of the Presidential Security Service and a close associate of Yoon, was appointed as Defence Minister in September. The Defence Ministry confirmed that Kim had suggested the martial law to Yoon.
Han stated that his party intends to minimize the ramifications on the nation's economy and diplomatic relations, pledging to thoroughly investigate the circumstances and implement necessary measures.
