Yoo Seung-min and Ahn Cheol-soo Urge "Swift Judgment Without Exception for Lee Jae-myung" Following Yoon's Detention

Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoo Seung-min express deep sorrow over the unprecedented arrest of a sitting president
Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, remains silent

For the first time in constitutional history, a sitting president was arrested, prompting Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoo Seung-min, members of the People Power Party who had previously expressed critical views on the ‘12·3 Emergency Martial Law,’ to convey their deep sorrow and call for judicial procedures related to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo expressed his feelings about President Yoon's detention, saying, "My heart aches and I feel devastated."

On the same day, Ahn Cheol-soo posted on Facebook, stating, “We have faced the tragic event of the first-ever arrest of a sitting president in constitutional history,” and expressed that his “heart aches and I feel deeply distressed.” He added, “The fundamental principle of Article 11 of the Constitution, which states that ‘all citizens are equal before the law,’ made no exception for the sitting president,” and emphasized, “Naturally, there should be no exception for Leader Lee Jae-myung either. Now, let the investigative agencies handle the investigation and calmly await the results.”

Regarding the ‘Seoul Western District Court violence incident’ caused by supporters protesting the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-youl, he said, “I fully understand the sorrowful and anguished feelings of our supporters,” but stressed, “However, violence can never be justified under any circumstances and only undermines liberal democracy and the rule of law.”

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also said, "The arrest of a sitting president is a tragedy and misfortune for the country." Provided by Asia Forum 21

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also posted on Facebook the same day, saying, “The arrest of a sitting president is a tragedy and misfortune for the country,” and expressed that his “heart aches and I feel deeply distressed.” He explained that “regardless of opinions on impeachment, many citizens are worried about the country’s crisis with mixed and anxious feelings,” and expressed sadness over this. He added, “While some citizens hoped for a non-custodial investigation, the court’s decision has already been made,” and emphasized, “Now, we must set the Republic of Korea right. We need to heal the divisions and conflicts akin to a civil war and unite the people.”

Expressing concern that “a second Trump era will bring shocks and challenges in the economy and security that we have never experienced before,” he stressed, “Acting President Choi Sang-mok and the executive branch must devote themselves to crisis management during this transitional period with extraordinary resolve, and the ruling and opposition parties must cooperate across party lines.” He also added, “As investigations and impeachment trials against the president proceed, the court must also swiftly rule on the criminal charges against Leader Lee Jae-myung.”

Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, who has been in hiding for over a month since resigning as party leader on the 16th of last month, remained silent and did not comment on President Yoon’s arrest.