South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol said the country’s legal system has been “completely destroyed,” pointing out that the investigation against him was illegal, according to a statement released by his presidential office.
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Earlier it was reported that for the first time in the history of South Korea, investigators arrested the temporarily suspended but current President Yoon Seok-yeol on charges of rebellion. The president himself called this a “voluntary appearance” for interrogation in order to avoid “bloodshed” and emphasized that he does not recognize the legality of the investigation.
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“Unfortunately, in our country the legal system is completely destroyed. We see how warrants are issued to bodies that do not have the authority to conduct investigations, and courts that do not have the right to examine warrants issue arrest and search warrants. Moreover, investigative bodies issue fake official documents, misleading citizens,” the president said.
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The President’s side believes that the arrest and search warrants issued at the request of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Office (CIO), which does not have the power to investigate sedition cases, are illegal.
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Previously, Yun Seok Yeol’s lawyers stated that the judges of the Seoul Western District Court, when issuing arrest warrants for the president, were guided by “inferences and a broad interpretation of the text of laws.” In their opinion, the judge who issued the warrants arbitrarily ruled that criminal laws prohibiting the issuance of search or arrest warrants in restricted military and security zones, such as the presidential residence, did not apply in this case. The court rejected the lawyers’ protests.
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President Yoon Seok-yeol wished citizens not to face such “injustice” in criminal cases in the future. He added that South Korean youth now understand the importance of freedom and democracy, which gives him hope.
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“Even though the law has now been broken and our country is going through dark times, I believe that our future is full of hope,” Yoon Seok Yeol said.
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The President also thanked citizens for their support and “tremendous help” and wished them health and strength.
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On the night of December 4, 2024, Yun Seok Yeol announced the introduction of martial law, allegedly “to purge pro-North Korean forces and maintain the liberal constitutional order.” The very first decree of the command of martial law in the country introduced censorship and prohibited any political activity; army special forces were sent to parliament and tried to block the approaches to the building. However, a significant number of deputies managed to get into the national assembly in advance, their supporters did not allow the military to enter, and legislators unanimously passed a resolution by 190 out of 300 votes demanding that the president lift martial law.
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The South Korean leader later apologized for his actions and said he did not intend to avoid political and legal responsibility. The South Korean opposition brought accusations of a coup against the president, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Minister of Internal Affairs and Security Lee Sang-min, as well as other key participants in the events from among the military and police. The South Korean Parliament on December 14 supported the impeachment of the president for violating the constitutional principles of democracy and separation of powers, as well as other crimes. Yoon Seok Yeol’s powers have been suspended pending the final decision of the constitutional court, which must be rendered no later than June 11.
