Gwangju and Jeonnam Communities: "Yoon's Arrest Is Restoration of Democracy" (Comprehensive)

Mayor Kang Gijung: "Citizens Have Defended the Last Line of Democracy"
Governor Kim Youngrok: "What Goes Around Comes Around; The Final Result Is Dismissal and Detention by the Constitutional Court"
May 18 Groups, Citizens, Labor, and Political Circles: "Victory for the People... An Arrest Investigation Is Needed"

A citizen attending the 7th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally for the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seokyeol held at 5·18 Democracy Square on the 21st of last month is holding a placard. Photo by Song Bohyun

The Gwangju and Jeonnam local communities evaluated the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Sukyeol, who is charged with 'insurrection', on the 15th as "the restoration of justice, rule of law, and democracy" and "a starting point for the normalization of the Republic of Korea."

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, stated on Facebook that day, "A president who was 'more equal' before the law has finally been arrested," and evaluated, "Citizens with cheering sticks have defended the last line of democracy." He continued, "Now it is a new beginning. Let us steadily move forward toward impeachment, punishment of those involved in the insurrection, and a stronger democracy."

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam, also wrote on his Facebook, "As the saying goes, what goes around comes around; the final result can only be dismissal by the Constitutional Court and detention." He added, "Regardless of status or position, equality before the law has been realized, showing that the rule of law is alive," and evaluated, "(The arrest of President Yoon) has preserved the dignity of the nation."

Citizens attending the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on the special stage at Geumnamro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, on the 14th of last month are cheering as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Sukyeol is passed. Photo by Song Bohyun

The three official organizations of the May 18 Democratic Uprising (Bereaved Families Association, Injured Persons Association, Meritorious Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation stated in a position paper, "The arrest of President Yoon is a significant historical turning point for defending democracy and constitutional order in the Republic of Korea." They continued, "(President Yoon) obstructed the judicial process to avoid legal responsibility, which is a treasonous act that directly denies constitutional order and shakes the very foundation of democratic values," and emphasized, "This arrest is the first step toward just punishment for all the accumulated illegal acts so far."

The Gwangju Emergency Action for the Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Sukyeol Regime and Social Reform held an emergency press conference that day, stating, "This will be a starting point for restoring national dignity and normalizing the Republic of Korea, which is in crisis," and evaluated, "The arrest of Yoon Sukyeol, the ringleader of insurrection, is a victory for the people." They stressed, "We will not stop our steps toward a world where illegal insurrection is no longer possible, a world beyond discrimination, hatred, inequality, and the climate crisis, toward peace, human rights, and a safe world where everyone can live a life of dignity."

The Gwangju Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice stated in a position paper, "President Yoon Sukyeol, who denied the rule of law until the moment of his arrest, must be strictly judged according to the Constitution and the law."

The Gwangju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said, "During the forty days of insurrection, we confirmed that it is not only Yoon Sukyeol as an individual whom we must remove," and argued, "We must sweep away even the remnants who became his hands and feet. The beginning is the dissolution of the People Power Party, which sided with the insurrection."

President Yoon Sukyeol, who is accused of leading a rebellion and abusing his authority to obstruct the exercise of rights, is appearing on the 15th at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency within the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, local political circles also unanimously called for President Yoon's arrest investigation and a prompt impeachment decision.

Members of the Gwangju City Council from the Democratic Party of Korea and independents emphasized, "The arrest of Yoon Sukyeol is the beginning of a thorough investigation into illegal martial law and acts of insurrection," and "Only by thoroughly investigating and punishing criminal acts through the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials can we set the Republic of Korea right."

The Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party also stated, "Yoon Sukyeol, the ringleader of insurrection who degraded the Security Service into a private group protecting a criminal and refused to enforce the law, will receive the judgment he deserves," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that Yoon Sukyeol is indicted, found guilty, and that his impeachment is swiftly accepted."

The Jeonnam branch of the Progressive Party said, "Yoon Sukyeol must be immediately arrested and dismissed," and added, "Society as a whole needs to be reformed so that anti-national criminals and groups can never emerge again."

The Jeonnam branch of the Justice Party urged, "Given the actions of the suspect Yoon Sukyeol, there is a high risk of evidence destruction and the damage is extremely serious," and called for "the arrest of Yoon Sukyeol and confrontation with his accomplices to reveal the full extent of the crimes of insurrection and treason."