President Yoon's Impeachment Passed: "I Will Never Give Up" [Full Statement]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 14th, following the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly, "I will never give up." In a message distributed immediately after the National Assembly's plenary session, President Yoon said, "Although I am pausing for a moment now, the journey towards the future that I have walked with the people for the past two and a half years must never stop," he declared.

President Yoon emphasized, "I will hold in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me and do my utmost for the country until the last moment," and urged, "Let us all unite for the freedom, democracy, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea." He appealed to public officials, saying, "It is a difficult and challenging time, but please fulfill your duties without wavering, maintaining your positions," and asked, "Centered around the acting president, let everyone unite to do their best to protect the safety and happiness of the people."

To the political community, he said, "Please focus your interest and efforts on improving the political culture and system so that we can shift from politics of runaway and confrontation to politics of deliberation and consideration."

Below is the full statement from President Yoon Suk-yeol

Dear citizens,

Watching the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly today,

I recalled June 29, 2021, when I first declared my participation in politics.

The freedom, democracy, and rule of law in this country were crumbling.

The despair of small business owners and the frustration of young people

were filling the entire country.

With that fervent national desire,

I jumped into politics.

Since then, I have worked tirelessly,

putting all my energy into it.

As president, meeting the people on the ground,

I found small business owners and self-employed people

screaming due to the previous administration's income-led growth policy,

and young people and ordinary citizens groaning under the burden of real estate loans.

However, when I calmly listened to their difficult situations

and gradually solved the problems,

I felt immense happiness.

As exports revived and the economy regained vitality,

I was energized by the spreading warmth.

I restored the collapsed nuclear power ecosystem

and even achieved nuclear power exports.

I have been urgently pushing forward the four major reforms

that were essential for the future but avoided by previous governments due to election concerns.

When the policies I contemplated and pursued for the people were hindered,

I was tormented and lost sleep.

I worked day and night to restore the Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation

and expand the horizons of global diplomacy.

When I traveled the world with the title of Korea's No. 1 salesperson

and achieved results,

I felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

As Korea's international standing rose

and our security and economy strengthened, I forgot my fatigue.

Now, the journey that was arduous but happy,

difficult but rewarding,

has paused for a moment.

I am concerned that the efforts so far might come to nothing.

Although I am pausing for a moment now,

the journey towards the future that I have walked with the people for the past two and a half years

must never stop.

I will never give up.

I will hold in my heart all the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me,

and do my utmost for the country until the last moment.

To public officials,

I urge you to fulfill your duties without wavering,

maintaining your positions during this difficult and challenging time.

Centered around the acting president,

let everyone unite

to do their best to protect the safety and happiness of the people.

And to the political community,

I urge you to focus your interest and efforts

on improving the political culture and system

so that we can shift from politics of runaway and confrontation

to politics of deliberation and consideration.

Dear citizens,

I believe in the potential of our people.

Let us all unite for the

freedom, democracy, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you.

Do Byung-wook, Reporter dodo@hankyung.com