Gwangju and Jeonnam Communities Strongly Oppose Yoon's Release Ruling
"Prosecution Must Immediately Appeal... Constitutional Court Should Decide on Swift Removal"
President Yoon Seokyeol is delivering his final statement at the 11th impeachment trial of President Yoon held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th of last month. Photo by Constitutional Court
The Gwangju and Jeonnam regional communities have strongly protested President Yoon Sukyeol's release from detention and urged the prosecution to immediately file an appeal.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) canceled President Yoon's detention on the 7th, stating that his continued detention was unjustified. However, local anger shows no signs of subsiding.
Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, wrote on Facebook that "the reasons for President Yoon Sukyeol's detention are more than sufficient," and called on the prosecution to "immediately appeal and for the Constitutional Court to promptly remove him from office." Mayor Kang also added, "The prosecution should reapply for a detention warrant."
Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeonnam, also emphasized on Facebook that "whether detained or released, nothing can cover up the illegality of the anti-constitutional and anti-democratic December 3 Martial Law." He argued, "The court's acceptance of the request to cancel detention is merely a procedural issue, not the essence," and insisted, "Yoon Sukyeol, the leader of the rebellion, will inevitably be removed by the Constitutional Court's decision." Governor Kim attended a nationwide rally in Seoul calling for Yoon Sukyeol's removal, declaring, "We will fight to end the insurrection and protect democratic constitutional order."
The three May 18 organizations (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Meritorious Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation issued a joint statement, criticizing, "The decision to cancel the detention of the main culprit of the insurrection is a direct challenge to justice." They stated, "This is an act that denies judicial justice and seriously undermines democracy," and demanded, "The court must disclose and explain the clear grounds for the decision to cancel the detention."
On the afternoon of the 15th of last month, citizens shouted slogans at the "14th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally" held by Gwangju Emergency Action in the Geumnam-ro area in front of Jeonil Building 245, Dong-gu, Gwangju, urging the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol and the eradication of internal rebellion forces. Photo by Song Bohyun
Meanwhile, the Gwangju Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of the Yoon Sukyeol Regime and Social Reform released an emergency statement, condemning, "Yoon Sukyeol's release is the judiciary succumbing to threats from far-right insurrection sympathizers." The group asserted, "Yoon Sukyeol's release itself drives the Republic of Korea into a disaster even greater than insurrection," and urged, "The prosecution must immediately appeal and completely block Yoon Sukyeol's release."
Meanwhile, as the prosecution still has the possibility to immediately appeal under Article 97, Paragraph 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act, it is expected that it will take more time before a final decision is made.
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