South Korea's Yoon Defends Martial Law in Handwritten Letter After Detention
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Synopsis
On January 15, 2023, South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol insisted in a handwritten note that martial law is a legitimate exercise of presidential powers, claiming it is not a crime. His statement follows his detention for questioning regarding insurrection charges linked to his controversial martial law declaration.
Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk Yeol claims martial law is not a crime.
- His martial law declaration was an act of governance.
- Yoon's impeachment is based on accusations of insurrection.
- He criticized the opposition's recent actions in impeachment proceedings.
- First sitting president in South Korea to be detained.
Seoul, Jan 15 (NationPress) The impeached President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, asserted on Wednesday that "martial law is not a crime," justifying his brief martial law declaration as a necessary governance action in a handwritten letter following his detention.
Yoon reiterated his previous statements in a Facebook update, mere hours after investigators detained him for questioning regarding insurrection allegations linked to his martial law order issued on December 3.
In his letter, Yoon stated, "Martial law is not a crime. Martial law is an exercise of presidential authority to overcome a national crisis," and included an image of his handwritten message.
Since his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14, Yoon has had his presidential duties suspended. He contended that his impeachment was rooted in the erroneous narrative that equated his martial law declaration with insurrection, deeming it "truly absurd."
Moreover, he criticized the opposition for recently retracting the insurrection charge in the impeachment proceedings, labeling it "a fraudulent impeachment."
The letter was issued while Yoon opted not to testify during questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, according to a report by Yonhap news agency.
On the same day, investigators apprehended Yoon at his home in their second attempt to take him into custody for inquiries regarding his brief martial law enactment.
A detention warrant for Yoon was executed at 10:33 a.m., as reported by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), marking a historic moment as the first arrest of a sitting president.
A convoy transporting Yoon departed from the presidential residence in central Seoul shortly after, heading towards the CIO office located in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul.
Yoon was seen exiting a vehicle and entering the office for questioning. Investigators are anticipated to request a formal arrest warrant for him within the next 48 hours.
Having been suspended from his duties following his impeachment on December 14, Yoon faces charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
He is accused of deploying troops to the National Assembly after declaring martial law on December 3 to prevent lawmakers from voting against the decree.
Following questioning, Yoon is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, near the CIO office.
