'Chipgeo' President Yoon "Will Fight Until the End"...Unofficial New Year Message Distributed

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of being a 'leader of a rebellion,' released a message on the 1st stating, "I will fight to the end to protect this country." It appears to be a de facto New Year's message distributed in writing to supporters gathered in front of the presidential residence amid an arrest warrant issued against him.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's written New Year's greeting. Provided by Lawyer Yoo Seung-soo on behalf of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun.

On the same day, lawyer Yoo Seung-su, representing former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, distributed an image containing President Yoon's written message to the media via messenger. President Yoon said, "I am truly grateful that so many of you have come out in the cold weather on the first day of the new year to protect the free democratic constitutional order of this country," adding, "I am watching your efforts through the real-time live broadcast on YouTube." He further expressed his feelings by saying, "I am truly thankful and sorry."

President Yoon continued, "South Korea is in danger now due to the agitation of sovereignty-infringing forces and anti-state forces both inside and outside the country," and said, "I will fight to the end with you to protect this country."

He then stated, "Free democracy, where not the state or party but each and every citizen is the owner, will surely prevail," and urged, "Let's gather more strength." He concluded by saying, "I am truly grateful, again and again," and "I wish you all health and success in the new year."

Lawyer Yoo explained, "This is the president's message for the people of the Republic of Korea at the rally in Hannam-dong (where the presidential residence is located) today."

Additionally, lawyer Seok Dong-hyun, who supports President Yoon's legal team from the outside, explained through a media notice, "Around 7:30 p.m., the president personally signed a New Year's greeting and a message of gratitude for support on an A4 sheet of paper and delivered the original copy to the rally organizer through the staff at the site where citizens have been holding a 24-hour overnight support rally on the road in front of the presidential residence for the second day." He added, "The organizer informed the citizens attending the rally on site, and the attendees shared and spread the message through photos," explaining the background of how President Yoon's message was conveyed.