Kim Yong-hyun Indicted for Leading 12·3 Emergency Martial Law
Message via Lawyer: "Please Protect President Yoon"
Prosecutors Attempting to Execute Arrest Warrant for President Yoon
Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who was arrested and indicted on charges of leading the 12·3 emergency martial law incident, stated through his lawyer on the 2nd, “The President is someone who thinks only about the country, the people, and their livelihood 24 hours a day,” and “Patriotic comrades, I earnestly ask you to protect the President for the future of the Free Republic of Korea.” Lawyer Lee Ha-sang read aloud a letter written by former Minister Kim from prison on the 29th of last month on a YouTube channel.
A prison letter disclosed by former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun through his attorney. Provided by lawyer Lee Ha-sang.
Former Minister Kim said, “Soldiers who carried out their duties under the minister’s orders when the President declared martial law are suffering from illegal investigations,” and “Freedom is not given for free. It is the reward of the noble ‘blood’ shed while fighting the forces of ‘evil’ to protect freedom.” He continued, “I will fight to the end to eradicate anti-state forces and clarify the nature of fraudulent elections so that we can pass on a proper country where constitutional values and constitutional order are upheld to future generations.”
On the afternoon of the 2nd, the third day since the arrest warrant was issued for President Yoon Suk-yeol, police are dispersing Yoon's supporters lying on the road in front of the main gate of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
On the morning of the 3rd, as the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) is expected to attempt to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon, tension is mounting in front of the presidential residence. Earlier, when news of the warrant execution attempt spread, supporters of President Yoon gathered, turning the area around the residence into chaos. They fiercely opposed the President’s arrest, clashed physically with the police, and also had conflicts with those calling for President Yoon’s resignation. The police forcibly dispersed supporters who had broken through the police line and were protesting in front of the main gate of the residence. Despite orders to disperse, some supporters who lay down on the street were taken into custody by the police.
On the 1st, President Yoon sent a letter to supporters in front of the residence, saying, “The Republic of Korea is in danger now due to the agitation of forces infringing on sovereignty inside and outside the country and anti-state forces,” and “I will fight to the end with you to protect this country.” As the message was made public, it was reported that loud cheers erupted at the rally site.
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