"Release of Main Instigator of Rebellion, Betrayal of Rule of Law"... Gwangju Democratic Party Outraged

"The Constitutional Court Must End the Confusion by Removing Yoon Seokyeol from Office"

The Gwangju City Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea strongly protested the release of former President Yoon Seokyeol, stating, "The rule of law in the Republic of Korea has been betrayed."

Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who was released on the 8th, is getting out of the security vehicle in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, and greeting supporters. Photo by Yonhap News

In a statement on the 9th, the city chapter criticized, "We cannot help but suspect that the prosecution's decision to break the usual practice of indicting two days before the expiration of detention, instead filing charges after the full term, and the court's decision to calculate the detention period down to the hour and cancel the detention, may have been prearranged."

They further warned, "Yoon Seokyeol's release will fuel public distrust and social confusion, and undermine the international community's trust in the rule of law in Korea." They continued, "There is only one way to end this confusion," urging, "The Constitutional Court must quickly decide to remove Yoon Seokyeol from office in the impeachment trial, reflecting the will of the people."

Regarding the controversy over the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs allegedly pressuring organizations related to the May 18 Democratization Movement, they pointed out, "The May 18 Democratization Movement is a democratization movement officially recognized by the state," and "Crackdowns on related organizations are acts that undermine the very foundation of democracy." The city chapter of the Democratic Party demanded, "Immediately stop political pressure and fulfill your role in upholding democracy and human rights."