Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk, "Arresting a Sitting President Is Wrong, Right to Defense Must Be Guaranteed"

Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo expressed regret on the 15th, saying, "It is very unfortunate that the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol has led to a situation that damages the nation's dignity."

Through Facebook on the same day, Governor Lee stated, "There are still various procedures remaining, including the Constitutional Court's judgment, and legal disputes have not yet been resolved, so I question whether it was really necessary to arrest the president." He added, "It is also very unclear whether the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) truly has investigative authority, and even if it does, arresting and investigating the president is wrong."

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province

Governor Lee said, "On the 5th, through a statement from the Council of Governors of the People Power Party, we demanded the suspension of the CIO's investigation and arrest warrant regarding the president's alleged treason, as well as the re-deliberation procedure of the National Assembly's impeachment motion. Although the president's duties are suspended, his status as head of state remains unchanged, so we requested a fair and careful trial and the guarantee of the right to rebuttal according to the constitution and legal procedures, but the arrest was carried out, which is very regrettable."

Governor Lee Cheol-woo further urged, "There is absolutely no concern about flight risk, and as a citizen and as president, his right to defense must be fully guaranteed. I ask that actions that lower the nation's dignity be restrained."