South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol holds a press conference in Seoul on August 29, 2024. (Kyodo/VNA)

Yoon said the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures and dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”

His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment, said the Korea Times on Wednesday.