Seoul, Jan 2 (EFE).- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol promised to “fight to the end to protect the country” in a message to his supporters on Wednesday.
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol take part in a rally near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, 31 December 2024. EFE/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
“Due to internal and external forces infringing on its sovereignty and the activities by anti-state groups, South Korea is now in danger,” Yoon said, vowing that “with you, I will fight to the end to protect this country.”
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol take part in a rally near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, 31 December 2024. EFE/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
The message was reportedly conveyed on a sheet of paper and signed in his name to those gathered in front of his residence in the Yongsan district, where he also expressed his gratitude to those who support him and said that he has been following their efforts.
“A free democracy, where every national is the owner, not the state or a party, will surely prevail,” he said.
South Korea’s anti-corruption agency is likely to proceed with a warrant to detain Yoon as early as Thursday, Yonhap reported.
A Seoul court on Tuesday approved a joint investigation team’s request to temporarily detain him over his brief imposition of martial law, making him the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest.
The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant against Yoon — accused of masterminding the failed Dec. 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating an insurrection and abuse of power — after the president ignored three summons for questioning. The warrant expires on Monday.
While Yoon has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, the privilege does not extend to insurrection charges, which in South Korea carry life imprisonment or the death penalty (on which there has been a moratorium since 1997) for those deemed to be leaders of such an uprising.
Yoon was dismissed on Dec. 14 by the National Assembly (parliament), which has temporarily stripped him of his functions until the Constitutional Court decides before June whether to reinstate his powers or permanently disqualify him.
The petition alleges that Yoon led an insurrection and abused his position by declaring a state of emergency on Dec. 3 and that he allegedly ordered the military to prevent lawmakers in parliament from voting to revoke his decision. EFE
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