January 2, 2025
Seoul – Embattled President Yoon Seok-yeol told his supporters on Wednesday night that he would “fight with you until the end to protect this country,” apparently breaking a promise by investigators to take him into custody earlier in the day.
“I thank so many of you for coming together to protect the free democracy and constitutional order of this country. … I am watching your efforts via YouTube live broadcast,” Yoon said at a rally in support of his supporters near the presidential palace in Hannam-dong, Seoul. stated in the written message.
“South Korea is under incitement and threat from anti-national forces and forces at home and abroad seeking to deprive it of its sovereignty,”
The Office of Corruption Investigation, a senior official investigating Yun Eun-hye over accusations of rebellion and abuse of power, vowed on Wednesday morning to arrest Yun before a court-issued arrest warrant expires after Monday. It also urged the Presidential Security Service not to interfere in any way with the arrests.
The president’s comments sparked anger from the opposition, who accused him of pushing supporters into clashes with authorities.
“Yoon’s message clearly shows that he is still delusional and seeking rebellion,” said Rep. Cho Seung-rae, spokesman for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Rep. Lee Joon-seok of the centrist Reform Party said it was “unbelievable” that Yoon still sees the world through YouTube, as he blasted the president’s accusations that he is an avid follower of a far-right YouTube channel and their baseless claims. The recent parliamentary elections were rigged.
An arrest warrant was issued for Yin on December 31 after the president refused a subpoena from the CIO for the third time. The agency is currently working with police on when and how to make an arrest, as no sitting president has ever been arrested.
The president enjoys immunity for most crimes, with the exception of insurrection. Yoon was charged with rebellion over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law and his related orders, which included instructions to arrest lawmakers, a recent prosecutor’s investigation found.
Prosecutors said he ordered Capital Defense Commander Lee Jin-woo to “break down the door (of Congress) and drag them (lawmakers) out” and ordered him to “shoot if necessary.”
Investigators are expected to take action as early as today, with Chief Information Officer Oh Dong-woon promising swift arrests. The presidential security team has no legal basis to block the arrests, although it has blocked investigators from conducting searches related to Yoon’s allegations.
If Yin is arrested, investigators have 48 hours to apply for a warrant or release him.
In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation, the president is facing an impeachment trial before the Constitutional Court, charged with rebellion and abuse of power.
