Hong Jun-pyo Claims "Under Park, It Was Clearing Deep-rooted Evils; Under Yoon, False Agitation with Treason Frame"

"Yoon, Who Advocates National Normalization, Not Guilty of Treason"

Regarding the charge of insurrection against President Yoon Suk-yeol, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo argued, "Since President Yoon has pledged to normalize the state, it is difficult for the insurrection charge, which is a purpose crime, to hold."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo is giving a congratulatory speech at the 'Daegyeong Line Metropolitan Railroad Opening Ceremony' held on the morning of the 13th at Seodaegu Station in Seo-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, Mayor Hong said on his Facebook, "The crime of insurrection requires the purpose of disrupting the national order."

He explained, "The nature of the act requires a riot, and a riot must be severe enough to disturb the peace of a region. However, in this case of martial law, it is closer to a temporary disturbance rather than a riot. Under our criminal law, if the disturbance exceeds a certain level, it becomes a riot, and only when it goes beyond that does it become a full riot."

He continued, "I already said six days ago that it is difficult for the insurrection charge to be established and it seems more like an abuse of authority charge," and criticized, "It seems absurd that investigative agencies are rushing in like hyenas to compete for credit."

Mayor Hong said, "During Park Geun-hye's presidency, they framed it as clearing out deep-rooted evils, but this time they are falsely inciting with an absurd insurrection charge frame," and added, "Let's come to our senses."