The previous Folks Energy Celebration lawmaker stated he had believed that Yoon had a “compelling and pressing cause” for declaring martial legislation, however that the info which were revealed within the yr since have proven in any other case
John Linton, who additionally goes by the identify Ihn Yo-han, departs from the Nationwide Meeting’s press halls after asserting his resignation as a lawmaker for the conservative Folks Energy Celebration. (Yonhap)
After stepping down as a Folks Energy Celebration lawmaker final month, John Linton stated Monday that he felt “gravely dissatisfied and ashamed at all the things that has been disclosed within the yr following the martial legislation declaration.”
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Linton, higher generally known as Ihn Yo-han in Korea, congratulated Rep. Lee So-hee for succeeding him in his proportional consultant seat following his resignation.
Within the video, the previous lawmaker and naturalized Korean citizen revealed his ideas on former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial legislation on Dec. 3, 2024, and on the Folks Energy Celebration’s scenario since that fateful evening.
“When martial legislation was declared a yr in the past, I believed that there was a nationwide disaster that the president couldn’t absolutely open up to the general public. I believed that an assault from North Korea was concerned or that we have been dealing with a scenario that the nation was not able to dealing with by itself. I believed there will need to have been a compelling and pressing cause for the chief of the nation to make that declaration,” Linton wrote.
“As somebody who was labeled as an instigator and scrutinized by the police for 3 years following the Could 18 Democratization Motion [in 1980] after decoding for international correspondents, I solely know too effectively how horrific a wrongful declaration of martial legislation could be,” he added.
“There’s nothing totally different in loving your nation as a proud citizen and loving your nation as a lawmaker. I’m a failed lawmaker. Nonetheless, I cherished South Korea after I was nonetheless in parliament, and I nonetheless adore it as we speak, as an atypical citizen,” he stated.
Linton started his political profession after being elected as a proportional consultant within the April 2024 basic election.
On Dec. 10, 2025, roughly one yr after the Dec. 3 martial legislation declaration, he introduced his resolution to step down as a lawmaker with an announcement.
“The unlucky developments which have continued over the past yr because the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s martial legislation declaration are one thing that must be overcome for the sake of the Republic of Korea’s future,” he stated on the time. “The one approach nationwide unity could be achieved is after we depart behind black-and-white bloc logic. There isn’t any change with out sacrifice. I need to begin by setting apart all vested pursuits and returning to my career to contribute to nationwide unity and nationwide growth.”
Linton’s resignation was made official on Friday. Lee So-hee, an lawyer who was subsequent in line on the social gathering listing, stuffed Linton’s seat within the Nationwide Meeting, starting her time period on the identical day.
By Kim Hae-jeong, workers reporter
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