What happened on the night of 15 July 2016 in Turkey was an attempted coup by a small faction within the Turkish Armed Forces to overthrow the democratically-elected government and disrupt the constitutional order in Turkey. This attempt had nothing to do with the vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces. The coup plotters were defeated by the bravery of the Turkish people, who in their thousands took to the streets to defend Turkish democracy. I am pleased to note that law and order in Turkey has been quickly restored and the culprits are being brought before the Turkish courts to face justice.
The coup plotters are known to be the followers of Fethullah Gülen, who has been leading a secret organization known as the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization or the "FETÖ". Under the leadership of Fethullah Gülen, this terrorist group has established a parallel state structure within the Turkish state apparatus, mainly in the armed forces and the police. Its associated institutions and commercial entities abroad are providing the FETÖ with financial resources.
In all their treachery, the plotters bombed symbols of the Turkish state and democracy, including the Office of the President and the Turkish Grand National Assembly with F-16s. Out of desperation and driven by frustration, these traitors have turned their tanks, aircraft, helicopters and machine guns against their own people which they were supposed to protect. Unfortunately, 208 citizens and security personnel have lost their lives.
From the very beginning, the chain of command and vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces rejected the coup attempt. They stood by the people, the elected President, the Government, the Constitution and democratic institutions.
All four political parties represented in the Turkish Grand National Assembly stood firmly in solidarity by the constitutional order. They adopted a Joint Declaration in defense of democracy during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly on 16 July 2016.
Currently the judicial process is underway to bring the plotters before justice. Necessary measures are now being taken against all those involved in the coup attempt. This process will be conducted in full respect with fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law, as prescribed by Turkish law.
In context of the ongoing measures for public order and security in the aftermath of this bloody coup attempt, a nation-wide State of Emergency has been declared on 21 July 2016 for three months in accordance with the Constitution. This measure had to be taken for the efficient protection of the constitutional order as well as fundamental rights and freedoms.
I am pleased to note that the Republic of Korea, Turkey's friend and blood brother, has promptly lent its support to us in our difficult times. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement, condemning the coup attempt and expressing its support and solidarity for the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order in my country.
Turkey, a founding member of the UN and the Council of Europe, member of NATO, OSCE, OECD and G20, an accession candidate of the European Union and a close partner of Korea within the newly formed MIKTA group, will always remain a trusted and leading actor of the international community and will continue to promote peace, stability and democratic values around the globe.
The coup plotters are known to be the followers of Fethullah Gülen, who has been leading a secret organization known as the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization or the "FETÖ". Under the leadership of Fethullah Gülen, this terrorist group has established a parallel state structure within the Turkish state apparatus, mainly in the armed forces and the police. Its associated institutions and commercial entities abroad are providing the FETÖ with financial resources.
In all their treachery, the plotters bombed symbols of the Turkish state and democracy, including the Office of the President and the Turkish Grand National Assembly with F-16s. Out of desperation and driven by frustration, these traitors have turned their tanks, aircraft, helicopters and machine guns against their own people which they were supposed to protect. Unfortunately, 208 citizens and security personnel have lost their lives.
From the very beginning, the chain of command and vast majority of the Turkish Armed Forces rejected the coup attempt. They stood by the people, the elected President, the Government, the Constitution and democratic institutions.
All four political parties represented in the Turkish Grand National Assembly stood firmly in solidarity by the constitutional order. They adopted a Joint Declaration in defense of democracy during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly on 16 July 2016.
Currently the judicial process is underway to bring the plotters before justice. Necessary measures are now being taken against all those involved in the coup attempt. This process will be conducted in full respect with fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law, as prescribed by Turkish law.
In context of the ongoing measures for public order and security in the aftermath of this bloody coup attempt, a nation-wide State of Emergency has been declared on 21 July 2016 for three months in accordance with the Constitution. This measure had to be taken for the efficient protection of the constitutional order as well as fundamental rights and freedoms.
I am pleased to note that the Republic of Korea, Turkey's friend and blood brother, has promptly lent its support to us in our difficult times. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement, condemning the coup attempt and expressing its support and solidarity for the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order in my country.
Turkey, a founding member of the UN and the Council of Europe, member of NATO, OSCE, OECD and G20, an accession candidate of the European Union and a close partner of Korea within the newly formed MIKTA group, will always remain a trusted and leading actor of the international community and will continue to promote peace, stability and democratic values around the globe.
Arslan Hakan Okcal
Ambassador of Turkey to Korea
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