"Apologizes for Causing Frustration and Hardship"
Maintains Claim that Martial Law Was a "Decision to Save the Nation"
Refutes Logic that "Deploying the Military to the National Assembly = Insurrection"
Signals Plan to File Notice of Appeal Next Week
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection, apologized for having caused frustration and hardship through the declaration of the December 3 Emergency Martial Law, but did not back down from his claim that the declaration of martial law was a decision made for the people.
On the 20th, former President Yoon issued a statement through his defense team, saying, "I deeply apologize to the people for having ultimately caused so much frustration and hardship due to my shortcomings."
Former President Yoon argued, "The judiciary failed to completely reject the political power of lies and agitation," and added, "It is difficult to accept the logic that this constitutes insurrection simply because the military went to the National Assembly." He also said, "In a situation where the independence of the judiciary cannot be guaranteed and it is hard to expect rulings based on law and conscience, I have deep doubts as to what meaning there is in a legal dispute through an appeal," adding, "I will again look forward to a reassessment of my judgment and decision on the day when liberal democracy is firmly established in the Republic of Korea and the rule of law is properly upheld."
He went on to say, "I do not care about the judiciary's preordained conclusion regarding me or the persecution by political power," and added, "It breaks my heart that many soldiers, police officers, and public officials are suffering as they undergo investigations and trials, and that even their families are falling into despair because of this pain." He continued, "Political retaliation is enough if it is directed at me. Through investigations, a special prosecutor, and even a second special prosecutor, how many people are you trying to purge, and to what extent are you trying to completely destroy national security?"
Addressing his supporters, he said, "I, Yoon Suk Yeol, will pause to catch my breath in the trial of the public square and shoulder all responsibility," and added, "Our fight is not over. We must unite and rise up."
Earlier, on the previous day, the 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Guyoun) sentenced former President Yoon to life imprisonment on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection and of abuse of power by obstructing the exercise of rights. The defense team announced that it plans to submit a notice of appeal to the court by next week. Former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun and former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sangwon have already filed appeals against the first-instance ruling delivered the previous day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
