Democratic Party: "Yoon's Arrest Is a Reasonable Decision to Uphold Justice"

The Democratic Party of Korea released a statement regarding the issuance of an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Seokyeol, calling it "a reasonable decision to uphold justice" and emphasizing, "We must complete the normalization of state affairs through strict punishment of those involved in the insurrection."

Park Sanghyuk, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing on the 10th that "the court, which previously released the leader of the insurrection for incomprehensible reasons, has now made a reasonable decision." He added, "Given the charges listed in the arrest warrant application?including obstruction of the National Assembly's resolution, abuse of power to prevent the execution of an arrest warrant, and destruction of evidence such as the deletion of secure phone records?there was never a path for Yoon Seokyeol to escape responsibility."

Park further stated, "No matter how shameless the sophistry, evasive legal maneuvers, or attempts to shift blame, they could not undermine the stern judgment of the law and judicial justice." He urged, "There is still much to be uncovered to reveal the full extent of the pro-presidential coup, initiated by a president consumed by conspiracy-driven delusions, and the suspicions of treason that led to war."

Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who is accused of insurrection related to the emergency martial law situation on December 3, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after completing the detention hearing on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "We must thoroughly uncover and punish the crimes of the insurrection leader, accomplices, and supporters so that no one ever dreams of insurrection again."

He added, "Although the collapse of state affairs and the lives of the people following the December 3 insurrection began to be normalized with the birth of a government based on popular sovereignty, true completion will only come through the punishment of the insurrectionist forces." He also urged, "Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok must, starting with the arrest of insurrection leader Yoon Seokyeol, conduct an even more rigorous investigation to reveal the full truth, leaving not a single detail unexplained."

Former President Yoon was previously detained by court order. He was arrested on January 19 on charges of leading an insurrection and abuse of power, then released on March 8 after the court canceled his detention, only to be re-arrested four months later. The court reviewed five charges requested by the special prosecutor’s team and decided to detain Yoon again on the grounds of 'concerns over destruction of evidence.' After the warrant hearing, Yoon will be formally admitted and incarcerated at the Seoul Detention Center.