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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's emergency national address has once again become a major topic of discussion among South Koreans amid the ongoing controversy surrounding ballot paper shortages that deprived citizens of their right to vote. As public anger continues to grow, many people are revisiting his remarks and beginning to remember his name once again.
The following is from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's address to the nation:
Honorable citizens,
as President, I appeal to you with a feeling of spitting blood.
Since the inauguration of our government, the National Assembly has initiated 22 impeachment motions against government officials, and since the inauguration of the 22nd National Assembly in June, it is pushing for the impeachment of 10 more. This is a situation that is not only unprecedented in any country in the world, but has never been seen since the founding of our country.
It is paralyzing the judiciary by intimidating judges and impeaching a number of prosecutors, and it is paralyzing the executive branch by trying to impeach the Minister of the Interior, the Chairman of the Communications Commission, the Chair of the Board of Audit, and the Defense Minister.
The handling of the national budget also undermined the essential functions of the state and turned Korea into a drug paradise and a public order panic by completely cutting all major budgets for cracking down on drug crimes and maintaining public security.
The Democratic Party cut 4.1 trillion won from next year’s budget, including 1 trillion won for disaster preparedness reserves, 38.4 billion won for child care support allowances, and a project to develop a gas field in the city for youth jobs.
They even put the brakes on funding to improve the treatment of military officers, including raising salaries and allowances for entry-level officers and increasing on-call duty fees. This budget outrage is nothing short of manipulating the national finances of the Republic of Korea. The legislative dictatorship of the Democratic Party, which uses even the budget as a means of political struggle, did not hesitate to impeach the budget. The government is paralyzed, and the people’s sighs are growing.
This trampling of the constitutional order of the free Republic of Korea and the disruption of legitimate state institutions established by the constitution and laws is an obvious anti-state act that plots insurrection. The lives of the people are of no concern, and the government is in a state of paralysis due to impeachment, special investigation, and the defense of the opposition leader.
Our National Assembly has become a den of criminals and is attempting to paralyze the nation’s judicial administration system through legislative dictatorship and overthrow the liberal democracy system. The National Assembly, which should be the foundation of liberal democracy, has become a monster that collapses the liberal democracy system. Now, Korea is in a precarious situation where it would not be surprising if it collapsed immediately.
Dear citizens,
I declare emergency martial law to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order.
Through this emergency martial law, I will rebuild and defend the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into ruin. To this end, I will surely eradicate the criminals of the anti-state forces who have been committing atrocities so far.
This is an inevitable step to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and the sustainability of the country, and to pass on a proper country to future generations from the unrestrained activities of anti-state forces aiming to overthrow the system. I will eradicate anti-state forces as soon as possible and normalize the country. I will crush the anti-state forces and normalize the country as soon as possible.
The declaration of martial law will cause some inconvenience to the good people who have believed in and followed the values of the Constitution of the free Republic of Korea, but I will focus on minimizing these inconveniences. These measures are necessary for the perpetuation of a free Republic of Korea, and there is no change in our foreign policy stance of fulfilling our responsibilities and contributions in the international community.
As your president, I earnestly appeal to you. I will devote my life to defending the free Republic of Korea, relying solely on the people. Please trust me.
Thank you.
Eine Republik verfügt über eine repräsentative Regierung. Die einzelnen Bürgerinnen und Bürger, die Träger der Souveränität sind, wählen Vertreter, die den Staat in ihrem Namen regieren. Diese Vertreter werden durch Wahlen bestimmt.
Deshalb muss der Wahlprozess eine hohe Glaubwürdigkeit besitzen, damit die Ergebnisse den Wählern ein hohes Maß an Vertrauen in den Wahlausgang vermitteln. Wenn das Wahlsystem nicht ordnungsgemäß funktioniert, sollten die Bürger einer Republik verlangen, dass es korrigiert wird.
Genau das geschieht derzeit in der Republik Korea.
In Jamsil, Seoul, citizens protesting the ballot paper shortage are turning on their mobile phone flashlights as a form of collective action, in an effort to avoid causing noise disturbances to other residents.
Because some residents are still unable to vote and their voting rights remain at risk, many residents who have already cast their ballots are also remaining at the polling station.
They are seeking to prevent the ballot boxes from being moved and counted by the National Election Commission before all affected voters have had an opportunity to vote.
The crowd continues to grow. The lights grow brighter.
There is a light that never goes out.
Breaking new from Seoul, South Korea:
More and more citizens are gathering outside the Jamsil Handball Gymnasium, Seoul and nearby polling stations. Many are calling for a new election and demanding answers over reports of ballot paper shortages.
For international readers, this controversy is not simply about administrative mistakes. Elections are the foundation of any democracy. When citizens are unable to cast their votes because ballots are unavailable, public confidence in the electoral process is severely damaged.
The demand being voiced by many protesters is simple: One citizen. One legitimate vote.
A fair and transparent election in which every eligible voter is able to participate.
Many South Koreans believe that the ballot paper shortage crisis has shaken confidence in the democratic process itself. That is why citizens continue to gather, even late into the night, demanding accountability and transparency.
Please do not ignore their voices.
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A new video has been uploaded showing South Korean citizens protesting at the Jamsil Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul and calling for a new election.
Breaking from Seoul, South Korea
The National Election Commission is infringing on citizens' voting rights, and the police are using physical force to suppress and silence them.
“How is this any different from the tactics used by China's public security police?” one protester said.
A growing number of citizens are condemning what they describe as a heavy handed response to protests over the ballot paper shortage controversy.
Many protesters believe that the fundamental issue is not only the ballot paper shortage itself, but also the authorities' response to public criticism.
For them, this is a test of democracy, transparency, and the protection of basic political rights.
Eilmeldung aus Seoul, Südkorea
Die Nationale Wahlkommission verletzt das Wahlrecht der Bürger, und die Polizei setzt körperliche Gewalt ein, um sie zu unterdrücken und zum Schweigen zu bringen.
"Worin unterscheidet sich das noch von den Methoden der chinesischen Staatssicherheit?", sagte ein Bürger aus Seoul.
Immer mehr Bürger verurteilen das, was sie als unverhältnismäßig harte Reaktion auf die Proteste im Zusammenhang mit dem Mangel an Stimmzetteln bezeichnen.
Viele Demonstranten sind der Ansicht, dass das grundlegende Problem nicht nur der Mangel an Stimmzetteln selbst ist, sondern auch die Reaktion der Behörden auf die öffentliche Kritik.
Für sie ist dies eine Bewährungsprobe für Demokratie, Transparenz und den Schutz grundlegender politischer Rechte.
What is happening in Seoul tonight is deeply disturbing.
A shocking Footage posted online appears to show police officers forcibly dragging away an elderly citizen during protests related to the ballot paper shortage controversy.
This was not an armed individual. This was not a violent rioter. According to those present, it was an ordinary citizen expressing concern about voting rights and the electoral process.
Many citizens are asking why an elderly citizen is being met with physical force instead of dialogue and transparency.
The growing controversy is no longer only about the ballot paper shortage itself. For many people, it has become a broader question about civil liberties, political rights, and how governments should respond when citizens gather to voice their concerns.
The images emerging from Seoul have shocked many observers and intensified calls for accountability.
Was heute Nacht in Seoul geschieht, ist zutiefst beunruhigend.
Ein schockierendes Video scheint zu zeigen, wie Polizeibeamte während der Proteste im Zusammenhang mit dem Mangel an Stimmzetteln einen älteren Bürger gewaltsam wegzerren.
Dies war keine bewaffnete Person. Dies war kein gewalttätiger Randalierer. Nach Angaben von Anwesenden handelte es sich um einen gewöhnlichen Bürger, der seine Besorgnis über das Wahlrecht und den Wahlprozess zum Ausdruck brachte.
Viele Bürger fragen sich, warum einem älteren Menschen mit körperlicher Gewalt statt mit Dialog und Transparenz begegnet wird.
Die wachsende Kontroverse dreht sich längst nicht mehr nur um den Mangel an Stimmzetteln. Für viele Menschen geht es inzwischen um eine grundsätzliche Frage der Bürgerrechte, der politischen Rechte und darum, wie Regierungen reagieren sollten, wenn Bürger ihre Sorgen und Bedenken öffentlich äußern.
Die Bilder aus Seoul haben viele Beobachter erschüttert und die Forderungen nach Aufklärung und Rechenschaft verstärkt.
South Korean citizens are currently sharing a message that became widely known during the November 2019 siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The message was reportedly written by a Hong Kong student on a wall during the height of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests:
"Dear World,
CCP will infiltrate your government,
Chinese enterprises interfere with your political stance,
China will harvest your home like Xinjiang.
Be Aware or Be Next!"
For many people outside East Asia, the reference may require some context.
The siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University was one of the most dramatic confrontations of the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Hundreds of student protesters were surrounded by police as clashes intensified across the city. During that period, many protesters expressed fears about the erosion of Hong Kong's political freedoms and growing influence from Beijing.
The message is now being shared in South Korea because of ballot paper shortages at polling stations during recent elections.
As the crisis unfolded, many citizens who had still not been able to cast their ballots remained outside polling stations waiting to vote. At the same time, attempts by the government to forcibly disperse and suppress those gathered there have continued, further intensifying public anger and concern.
A young Korean man lost consciousness after suffering a violent police crackdown while protesting the deprivation of voting rights. This photo has fueled nationwide anger in South Korea.
What began as anger over ballot shortages has grown into a nationwide controversy. Many citizens argue that the issue is no longer only about election administration, but also about democratic accountability, transparency, and the government's response to public criticism and protest.
Ein junger koreanischer Mann verlor das Bewusstsein, nachdem er während eines Protests gegen die Entziehung des Wahlrechts durch eine gewaltsame Polizeirazzia betroffen war. Dieses Foto hat landesweit Empörung in Südkorea ausgelöst. Viele Koreaner vergleichen die aktuelle Situation mit Hongkong und äußern Besorgnis.
Was zunächst mit der Empörung über den Mangel an Stimmzetteln begann, hat sich zu einer landesweiten Kontroverse entwickelt. Viele Bürger argumentieren, dass es dabei nicht mehr nur um die Wahlverwaltung geht, sondern auch um demokratische Rechenschaftspflicht, Transparenz und den Umgang der Regierung mit öffentlicher Kritik und Protesten.
Shocking videos continue to appear on South Korean social media.
This is a video showing police blocking public passage and attempting stop-and-search checks on ordinary citizens.
In the video, an elderly woman is stopped and questioned by police while she is on her way to visit a friend who lives in another building within the same apartment complex.
A statement issued by the representatives of Ewha Womans University students - one of South Korea’s most prestigious universities, founded in the 19th century to provide higher education opportunities for women who were historically excluded from universities until roughly two centuries ago - has been posted online.
In South Korea, concerns have been raised over a reported shortage of ballot papers during a recent election, which some voters and civic groups claim disrupted the voting process and prevented eligible citizens from casting their ballots.
Following these reports, student councils from major universities have issued public statements criticizing the incident and calling for accountability and systemic reforms to ensure election integrity.
As a result, student organizations from leading institutions such as Ewha Womans University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University have reportedly joined in issuing similar statements, reflecting broader public debate and criticism surrounding the conduct of the election process.
The following is the complete text of the statement by Ewha Woman's University:
"Once again, we demand democracy that has become hollow, and elections where basic procedures have been neglected."
- Statement by the 58th Central Executive Committee of the Ewha Womans University Student Council regarding the ballot shortage incident in the June 3 local election -
On June 3, 2026, the most fundamental promise of democracy was broken.
Democracy is the principle we learn first: sovereignty belongs to the people, and the people exercise that sovereignty through elections. Elections are the most concrete expression of democracy and the most direct form in which citizens can exercise their rights, with a single ballot paper serving as a single expression of sovereignty. However, this entire process, which had been taken for granted and unquestioned, was disrupted on June 3.
In several polling stations across districts such as Songpa, Gangnam, and Gwangjin in Seoul, ballot paper shortages occurred. Citizens who came to vote were told to write serial numbers and wait. Some eventually left without casting their votes. The election itself continued, but the sovereign will of voters who intended to participate was effectively excluded from that space.
A statement made without proper preparation is nothing more than empty rhetoric.
The National Election Commission explained that there were “more voters than expected.” However, this explanation cannot justify the confusion in which even the highest level of preliminary turnout forecasts failed to prevent insufficient ballot supply. Ultimately, what we expected was an election in which voters would not experience inconvenience, where sovereign power would be exercised smoothly, and where voters would not have to wait in long lines before finally casting their ballots. The failure of preparation became a failure of response, and that in turn became the anger of the people.
The head of the Election Commission stated that there was “no excuse.” However, the responsibility for the incident does not disappear with such statements. What must be clearly revealed is why such an incident occurred, who made which decisions, and how structurally it was possible. All of this must be thoroughly clarified.
In the name of democracy, we once again call for accountability.
In front of the history of democracy we have upheld, we cannot tolerate the Election Commission’s dereliction of duty that undermines democratic integrity. This is not simply a matter of technical error, but a failure of trust in the election process caused by negligent administration and serious responsibility avoidance. In order to defend and restore democracy, we once again call for accountability in the name of the people’s sovereignty.
Therefore, we demand that the National Election Commission:
Thoroughly investigate and transparently disclose the causes of the ballot shortage incident.
Fully accept responsibility for the truth-finding results and implement corresponding accountability measures.
Re-examine the entire system for ballot printing, distribution, transportation, and emergency response, and establish effective preventive measures.
June 5, 2026
58th Central Executive Committee of the Ewha Womans University Student Council
Das Zentralkomitee der Studierendenvertretung der Ewha Womans University hat eine Erklärung veröffentlicht – im Namen der Studierendenvertretung einer der renommiertesten Universitäten Südkoreas, die im 19. Jahrhundert gegründet wurde, um Frauen den Zugang zu höherer Bildung zu ermöglichen, da sie historisch bis vor etwa zwei Jahrhunderten vom Universitätsstudium ausgeschlossen waren.
In Südkorea wurden Bedenken hinsichtlich eines gemeldeten Mangels an Wahlzetteln während einer kürzlich abgehaltenen Wahl geäußert. Einige Wählerinnen sowie zivilgesellschaftliche Gruppen behaupten, dass dieser Vorfall den Wahlprozess beeinträchtigt und wahlberechtigten Bürgerinnen die Stimmabgabe verwehrt habe.
Im Anschluss an diese Berichte haben Studierendenvertretungen großer Universitäten öffentliche Erklärungen abgegeben, in denen sie den Vorfall kritisieren und zur Verantwortungsübernahme sowie zu systemischen Reformen aufrufen, um die Integrität von Wahlen zu gewährleisten.
Infolgedessen haben sich Studierendenorganisationen führender Hochschulen wie der Ewha Womans University, der Seoul National University, der Yonsei University und der Korea University Berichten zufolge diesen Stellungnahmen angeschlossen, was die breitere öffentliche Debatte und Kritik am Ablauf des Wahlverfahrens widerspiegelt.
Im Folgenden der vollständige Text der Erklärung der Ewha Womans University:
"Wir fordern erneut eine Demokratie, die hohl geworden ist, und Wahlen, bei denen grundlegende Verfahren vernachlässigt wurden"
– Erklärung des 58. Zentralkomitees der Studierendenvertretung der Ewha Womans University zum Vorfall des Mangels an Wahlzetteln bei der Kommunalwahl am 3. Juni –
Am 3. Juni 2026 wurde das grundlegendste Versprechen der Demokratie gebrochen.
Demokratie ist das Prinzip, das wir zuerst lernen: Die Souveränität liegt bei den Bürgerinnen, und die Bürgerinnen üben diese Souveränität durch Wahlen aus. Wahlen sind der konkretste Ausdruck der Demokratie und die direkteste Form, in der Bürgerinnen ihre Rechte ausüben können, wobei ein einzelner Wahlzettel als einzelne Ausdrucksform der Souveränität dient. Dieser gesamte Prozess, der als selbstverständlich und unbeachtet galt, wurde jedoch am 3. Juni gestört.
In mehreren Wahllokalen in Bezirken wie Songpa, Gangnam und Gwangjin in Seoul kam es zu einem Mangel an Wahlzetteln. Bürgerinnen, die zur Wahl kamen, wurden aufgefordert, Seriennummern aufzuschreiben und zu warten. Einige verließen schließlich den Ort, ohne ihre Stimme abzugeben. Die Wahl selbst wurde fortgesetzt, doch der souveräne Wille der Wählerinnen, die teilnehmen wollten, wurde faktisch aus diesem Raum ausgeschlossen.
Eine ohne ausreichende Vorbereitung abgegebene Erklärung ist nichts weiter als leere Rhetorik.
Die Nationale Wahlkommission erklärte, es habe „mehr Wählerinnen als erwartet“ gegeben. Diese Erklärung kann jedoch die Unordnung nicht rechtfertigen, in der selbst die höchsten Prognosen der erwarteten Wahlbeteiligung eine unzureichende Bereitstellung von Wahlzetteln nicht verhindern konnten. Letztlich hatten wir eine Wahl erwartet, in der die Wählerinnen keine Unannehmlichkeiten erleben, in der die Ausübung der Souveränität reibungslos erfolgt und in der sie nicht lange in Warteschlangen stehen müssen, bevor sie schließlich ihre Stimme abgeben können. Das Versagen der Vorbereitung wurde zu einem Versagen der Reaktion, und dieses wiederum führte zur Wut der Bevölkerung.
Die Leiterin der Wahlkommission erklärte, es gebe „keine Entschuldigung“. Doch die Verantwortung für den Vorfall verschwindet nicht durch solche Aussagen. Es muss klar aufgezeigt werden, warum ein solcher Vorfall möglich war, wer welche Entscheidungen getroffen hat und wie dies strukturell möglich wurde. All dies muss umfassend aufgeklärt werden.
Im Namen der Demokratie fordern wir erneut Rechenschaftspflicht.
Vor der Geschichte der Demokratie, die wir verteidigt haben, können wir das Versagen der Wahlkommission, das die demokratische Integrität untergräbt, nicht tolerieren. Dies ist nicht lediglich ein technischer Fehler, sondern ein Vertrauensbruch im Wahlprozess, verursacht durch fahrlässige Verwaltung und schwerwiegende Verantwortungslosigkeit. Um die Demokratie zu verteidigen und wiederherzustellen, fordern wir erneut Rechenschaftspflicht im Namen der Volkssouveränität.
Daher fordern wir, dass die Nationale Wahlkommission:
die Ursachen des Vorfalls des Mangels an Wahlzetteln umfassend untersucht und transparent offenlegt,
die Verantwortung vollständig gemäß den Ergebnissen der Aufklärung übernimmt und entsprechende Maßnahmen zur Verantwortlichkeit umsetzt,
das gesamte System der Druck-, Verteilungs-, Transport- und Notfallprozesse für Wahlzettel überprüft und wirksame Präventionsmaßnahmen etabliert.
Juni 2026
Zentralkomitee der Studierendenvertretung der Ewha Womans University
The nationwide shortage of ballot papers on June 3, 2026, which resulted in the deprivation of citizens’ right to vote, has triggered widespread public outrage. Two days later, this anger continues to grow into nationwide indignation and protest.
Videos are continuously being uploaded on social media showing large gatherings of South Koreans at Olympic Park in Seoul. What they hold in their hands are hastily made, hand-written placards, as well as the national flag of South Korea, which is commonly found in households across the country.
Der landesweite Mangel an Wahlzetteln am 3. Juni 2026, der zur Entziehung des Wahlrechts der Bürgerinnen und Bürger geführt hat, hat eine breite öffentliche Empörung ausgelöst. Zwei Tage später entwickelt sich diese Wut weiterhin zu landesweiter Empörung und Protest.
Auf sozialen Medien werden fortlaufend Videos hochgeladen, die große Versammlungen von Südkoreanerinnen und Südkoreanern im Olympiapark in Seoul zeigen. In ihren Händen halten sie hastig angefertigte, handgeschriebene Plakate sowie die Nationalflagge Südkoreas, die in den Haushalten des Landes weit verbreitet ist.
The nationwide shortage of ballot papers on June 3, 2026, which resulted in the deprivation of citizens’ right to vote, has triggered widespread public outrage. Two days later, this anger continues to grow into nationwide indignation and protest.
Videos are continuously being uploaded on social media showing large gatherings of South Koreans at Olympic Park in Seoul. What they hold in their hands are hastily made, hand-written placards, as well as the national flag of South Korea, which is commonly found in households across the country.
Der landesweite Mangel an Wahlzetteln am 3. Juni 2026, der zur Entziehung des Wahlrechts der Bürgerinnen und Bürger geführt hat, hat eine breite öffentliche Empörung ausgelöst. Zwei Tage später entwickelt sich diese Wut weiterhin zu landesweiter Empörung und Protest.
Auf sozialen Medien werden fortlaufend Videos hochgeladen, die große Versammlungen von Südkoreanerinnen und Südkoreanern im Olympiapark in Seoul zeigen. In ihren Händen halten sie hastig angefertigte, handgeschriebene Plakate sowie die Nationalflagge Südkoreas, die in den Haushalten des Landes weit verbreitet ist.
A nationwide wave of public anger directed at the government continues across South Korea following the deprivation of citizens' voting rights caused by ballot paper shortages during the June 3 election.
As of June 6, one of the locations where South Koreans have gathered, Olympic Park in Seoul, had an estimated crowd of 25,000 people according to Seoul's real-time city data. Similar gatherings are taking place across the country, and the number of participants continues to grow.
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