Former President Yoon Seok-yeol Issues First Statement … "Political Suppression is Enough with Just Me"

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol, currently incarcerated, has officially expressed his stance regarding the special prosecutor's investigation surrounding him for the first time, stating, "This absurd political suppression is enough with just me."

On the 21st, former President Yoon distributed a statement of two A4 pages through his legal team, revealing his position for the first time about a month after the beginning of the insurrection special prosecutor's investigation.

"Even the Innocent are Suffering" … Expresses Regret Over Investigations of Associates

In his statement, former President Yoon claimed, "Many soldiers and public officials who followed the legitimate orders of their superiors are being summoned to special prosecution and court and are suffering," and added, "Beyond the political suppression against me, even innocent people are suffering."

He continued, "I hope that the unjust suppression, which tarnishes the honor of those who have dedicated their lives to the nation and the people, will be stopped immediately."

Regarding the background of the declaration of a state of emergency, he stated, "I judged that the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea and the constitutional order were in a life-and-death crisis," emphasizing, "I have tried my best to explain to the people why I had no choice but to make the decision for the state of emergency during the constitutional court impeachment proceedings."

"Expected a Path of Hardship from Leaving the Prosecution" … Demonstrating Willingness to Confront the Investigation Head-On

Former President Yoon reflected, "From the moment I left the prosecution, where I spent my whole life, and jumped into politics to run for president, I was aware that I was stepping onto the path of hardship." He mentioned his political determination, saying, "Nevertheless, I could not ignore the reality of the Republic of Korea, so I did not reject that path."

The special prosecutor indicted former President Yoon on charges of obstructing the exercise of authority on the 19th. After he failed to respond to two summons requests and a forced appearance was canceled, the prosecution deemed additional investigations unnecessary and decided to proceed with the indictment. The case has been assigned to the 35th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presided by Judge Baek Dae-hyun).

Former President Yoon stated, "I will do my best to uncover the truth of the state of emergency in the criminal court," adding, "I will prove how absurd the claim is that a president with supreme power instigated an insurrection to seize power."

"History Will Judge" … I Will Stand with the People Until the End

Additionally, former President Yoon declared, "Above all, I will certainly prove that the insurrection charges against soldiers and public officials are completely unjust," and "Whether my judgment was correct and whether the declaration of a state of emergency was the right decision will ultimately be up to history to judge."

Regarding his jail life, he expressed, "I am living each day with a truly painful and heartbreaking feeling," and shared, "I don’t care what happens to me, but seeing the things I was worried about becoming reality one by one truly worries me about the future of our nation and the people."

In conclusion, former President Yoon stated, "Nevertheless, I believe in the Republic of Korea and in the people," asserting, "I firmly believe that the citizens will protect the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea as the sovereign. I will stand with the people until the very end."

Image source: Former President Yoon Seok-yeol / News1, News1