South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, promised to “fight until the end” in a letter to his supporters as he awaits the outcome of a Constitutional Court investigation into his decision to declare martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.
In the Jan. 1 letter to hundreds of his supporters who have camped near his official residence to protest the investigation, Yoon said: “I am watching on YouTube live all the hard work you are doing. I will fight until the end to protect this country together with you.”
A copy of the letter was sent to the Reuters news agency by Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon.
He praised his supporters for their efforts to protect the “liberal democracy and constitutional order” of South Korea.
Yoon Accused of Incitement
DP spokesman Jo Seoung-lae said in a statement, “As if trying to stage insurrection wasn’t enough, he is now inciting his supporters to an extreme clash.”When he declared martial law, Yoon blamed “anti-state forces” and described the DP as a “monster” that was using its majority in the National Assembly to undermine the government’s budget proposals.
He also accused the DP of sympathizing with communist North Korea.
Yoon has argued that the martial law decree was a legitimate act of governance. He is being investigated for rebellion and, if convicted, could technically face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Earlier this week, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) stated that the Seoul Western District Court had issued warrants against Yoon, who was impeached on Dec. 14, 2024.
One of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, said the detainment warrant was invalid and illegal, claiming that the CIO did not have the legal authority to investigate charges of rebellion.
Yoon, who was previously South Korea’s chief prosecutor, was elected in March 2022, after narrowly defeating the DP candidate Lee Jae-myung.
He has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, but it does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.
On Dec. 3, 2024, hundreds of troops and police officers were deployed to the National Assembly, but lawmakers refused to approve his martial law decree, forcing him to reverse the decision.
It will be up to the Constitutional Court—the highest court in South Korea—to determine whether Yoon should be permanently excluded as president or reinstated.
If it decides on the former course, a new presidential election will have to be called.
Yoon has claimed that he sent troops to the National Assembly to maintain order and denied planning to arrest politicians.
Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, told the National Assembly that he did not obey an order by Yoon to “quickly knock down the door and drag out the lawmakers who are inside.”
Choi, who also represents the PPP, has ordered an emergency safety inspection of all Korean airliners.
