Yoon Marks 65th Birthday in Prison, Delivers Christmas Message
"I Endure Hardship... South Korea Gains Hope from Its Youth"
At Trial, Says "I Feel Sorry for the Soldiers"
Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who celebrated his 65th birthday in prison, released a 'Christmas message from prison,' saying, "I am enduring hardship, but the Republic of Korea has gained hope shown by the youth." On the 18th, Yoon's attorney, Kim Gyeri, made Yoon's letter from prison public on social media.
Former President Yoon Seokyeol, who celebrated his 65th birthday in prison, released a 'Christmas message from prison,' saying, "I am enduring hardship, but the Republic of Korea has gained hope shown by the youth." Yoon's appearance at the Seoul Central District Court last September. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Former President Yoon stated, "Jesus said, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,'" and added, "To fight alongside others when their freedom is trampled upon is an act of loving your neighbor. When countless neighbors come together to form a nation, 'love for one's neighbor is, in fact, love for the nation (patriotism).'" He continued, "Therefore, the teachings of Jesus are a practice of patriotism and a force that can stop the tyranny that suppresses freedom." He expressed his gratitude and reassurance, saying, "That is why I am grateful and encouraged by the 'love for one's neighbor' and 'love for the nation' that you, the youth who have awakened to defend freedom, justice, and sovereignty, have put into practice."
He said, "My wife and I do not have children. That is why you, the youth, feel like children to me," and added, "What parent would wish for their child to go astray? The desperate sense of responsibility to pass on a righteous nation to the next generation is one of the reasons I gave up everything and declared a state of emergency." He further argued, "As a result, while I am enduring hardship in prison, the Republic of Korea has gained hope shown by the youth."
He also quoted a Bible verse, "The present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us," and said, "Even though you may be going through trials and hardships now, your tomorrow will shine even more brilliantly." He encouraged, "So, young people, stay strong. You are the light that brightens this dark era. You, who have not remained silent in the face of injustice and unrighteousness, are the disciples of Jesus in this era."
Meanwhile, on this day, former President Yoon appeared as a witness at the Seoul Yongsan Central Military Court in the trial of former Defense Security Command chief Yeo Inhyeong, former Army Special Warfare Command chief Kwak Jonggeun, former Intelligence Command chief Moon Sangho, and former Capital Defense Command chief Lee Jinwoo, who are charged with important insurrection-related duties. This was the first time former President Yoon appeared as a witness in a military court. During the witness examination, he exercised his right to refuse to testify several times.
However, he raised an issue with the remarks made by the Ministry of National Defense's prosecution (military prosecutors), saying, "Am I someone indicted as the ringleader of an insurrection, or am I actually the ringleader? Is this really an insurrection?" He reportedly raised his voice, saying, "If this continues, the trial cannot proceed. How can you speak like that?"
Additionally, when the defense for former Commander Yeo stated, "Many soldiers are being disciplined for participating in martial law," former President Yoon replied, "It truly pains me when the military officers, police, and officials I know come to testify in court," and added, "These are people who worked according to the decisions I made, and I feel sorry for them. After the trial, I returned to the detention center and prayed late into the night," he reportedly said.
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