Yoon's Side: "'President Ordered Use of Force' Hankyoreh Report Is Fake News"

"Yoon Kun-young's Claim of 'Urging Use of Weapons' Is Also False"

The office of President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed regret over media reports and opposition party lawmakers' claims that "President Yoon ordered consideration of the use of force ahead of the second execution of an arrest warrant by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Hogeum)," calling them "fake news."

Yoon Gap-geun, lawyer for President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the morning of the 13th, Yoon's lawyer Yoon Gap-geun issued a statement to the press corps, saying, "The Hankyoreh newspaper reported that the president ordered 'consideration of the use of force,' and Yoon Gun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference spreading false information that the president urged 'use of weapons.' We express deep regret regarding this."

Lawyer Yoon stated, "The president has only emphasized lawful performance of duties according to routine work manuals and has never given such orders. It is all 'fake news' and completely untrue to transform normal duty appearances of the security staff into photos suggesting they are armed and on alert, to announce false facts based on baseless tips, or to cause misunderstandings that the president is inciting physical confrontation."

He added, "When former President Moon Jae-in visited a traditional market, the media reported that a security staff member was carrying a submachine gun under his coat. If so, one cannot help but ask whether President Moon regarded the market merchants and citizens as potential terrorists and deployed 'heavy weapons.' The Presidential Security Service has been trained under the same principles and manuals for decades under any administration and has performed its duties to protect the president's safety."

Finally, Lawyer Yoon pointed out, "Some media and politicians who incite violent conflict through 'fake news' should feel responsible for worsening the situation," emphasizing, "The lawful performance of duties by the Presidential Security Service should not be obstructed."

The Hankyoreh newspaper reported the previous day, citing a current security service official, that "President Yoon instructed consideration of the use of force during a lunch with security service executives on the 11th, ahead of the second execution of the arrest warrant."

On the same day, lawmaker Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, revealing, "I received a report that President Yoon again mentioned the use of weapons during a lunch with security service executives on the 12th," and "President Yoon allegedly ordered, 'If guns are not allowed, carry knives and stop them at all costs.'"