"Detention Extended" Yoon's New Year Message: "Let Us Move Forward Like the Red Horse"

"His health is improving... Please pray for him"

Yoon Sukyeol delivered his New Year's greetings through his attorney to mark the beginning of the year.

Mr. Yoon Sukyeol. Yonhap News Agency

According to the legal community on January 3, attorney Bae Euicheol, who represents Mr. Yoon, posted on his social networking service (SNS), "I am sharing President Yoon's New Year's message," and conveyed Yoon's message for the new year.

In the publicly released message, Yoon stated, "Dear citizens, this year is Byeongo, the Year of the Red Horse. Like the legendary red horse that rises and runs again without hesitation even after being wounded, let us stand up once more with true courage and boldness, and move forward for the restoration of freedom, sovereignty, and prosperity. Let us all join forces and do our best together."

Attorney Bae also shared part of his conversation with Yoon during a recent meeting. He said, "I ask everyone to pray for President Yoon's health," and added, "Thanks to your prayers, his eye health (diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration) is reportedly improving." He continued, "Even on New Year's morning, President Yoon prayed for each and every citizen facing difficulties, recalling their hard work and tears," and appealed, "Rather than worrying, I ask you to protect President Yoon with your prayers."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the 36th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jeongyeop) issued an additional arrest warrant for former President Yoon, who was additionally indicted on foreign exchange charges (general subversion and abuse of authority) related to allegations of North Korean drone infiltration. The court cited concerns about the destruction of evidence. As a result, former President Yoon, whose detention was originally set to expire on the 18th, will now remain in custody for up to six more months, until July 1, to stand trial.

Under the Criminal Procedure Act, the maximum detention period for a first trial is six months. However, if the defendant is indicted for other cases or charges and the necessity of detention is recognized, the court may issue an additional warrant after review. Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyeon and former Defense Security Commander Yeo Inhyeong to create military tensions between North and South Korea as grounds for declaring martial law by infiltrating drones into Pyongyang.

In response to the court's extension of the detention period, Yoon's side strongly protested, stating, "This is not a detention based on a crime, but a 'vending machine warrant' where the reasons are automatically filled in after the detention is already decided."