Kim Kyung-soo, Kim Dong-yeon, and Other Opposition Potential Candidates Unite in Opposition to 'Yoon's Detention Cancellation'... "Immediate Appeal Required"

On the 7th, opposition presidential hopefuls collectively voiced their opposition to the news of President Yoon Seok-yeol's release from detention.

News related to the court's acceptance of President Yoon Seok-yeol's request for cancellation of detention is being reported in the Seoul Station waiting room on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of Gyeongnam Province and a leading opposition presidential candidate, stated on his Facebook in the afternoon, "I cannot accept the decision to release the leader of the insurrection, Yoon Seok-yeol," and added, "The prosecution must immediately file an appeal."

Kim said, "The mere fact that the leader of the insurrection is among the people inevitably causes the public to tremble with anxiety again," and continued, "I never expected the suppression of the loyalist coup to be easy. Let us end the insurrection through the impeachment of (President Yoon)."

Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, also expressed on Facebook the same day, "I strongly regret the decision to cancel the detention of the leader of the insurrection," and directly criticized it as "an absurd and unacceptable act." Kim added, "By emphasizing procedural strictness, have we overlooked the gravity of the crime of insurrection?"

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum also said, "(The court's decision) is detached from the common sense of the people. It is an unexpected decision," and drew a clear line by stating, "This is definitely separate from the impeachment trial of (President Yoon)."

The Criminal Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) accepted President Yoon's request for cancellation of detention that day. If the prosecution does not appeal, President Yoon is expected to leave Seoul Detention Center and move to the official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul.