A photo caption reads: “President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is accused of being the leader of a rebellion and obstructing the exercise of authority through abuse of power, is appearing at the Office of Crime Investigations for High-ranking Officials located in Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 15th. [Joint coverage]”
Following that, it states, “President Yoon was arrested at the Joint Investigation Headquarters at around 10:33 AM on the 15th on charges of being the ringleader of the rebellion due to the martial law incident on December 3rd.”
Before his arrest, President Yoon recorded a public address titled “A Message to the People,” in which he expressed his disappointment at the issuance of warrants by agencies without investigative authority and courts issuing arrest and search warrants without review authority. He said, “I have decided to comply with the unlawful investigation and appear at the Office of Crime Investigations, despite being at a disadvantage, to prevent an unfortunate and violent confrontation.”
He further emphasized, “This does not mean I acknowledge the investigation by the Office of Crime Investigations. As the President responsible for protecting the constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, my compliance with this illegal and null procedure is not an acknowledgment of its legitimacy but solely to prevent a tragic confrontation.”
The statement continues with President Yoon’s full public address, “A Message to the People”:
“Dear citizens, have you been well?
I sincerely thank you for your support and encouragement.
Regrettably, the law in this country has collapsed entirely.
It is disheartening to witness the issuance of warrants by an agency without investigative authority, courts issuing arrest and search warrants without judicial review authority, and investigative agencies deceiving the public by issuing false documents, conducting procedures based on void warrants.
Despite facing such disadvantages, I genuinely hope none of our citizens have to experience such criminal incidents in the future.
After witnessing their intrusion into the security zone using firefighting equipment, I have decided to attend the Office of Crime Investigations despite the unlawful nature of the investigation, to prevent an unfortunate and violent confrontation.
Yet, I do not recognize the legitimacy of this investigation by the Office of Crime Investigations.
As the President tasked with upholding the constitution and legal system of South Korea, my response to this illegal and null procedure is not an acknowledgment of it but purely intended to avert a tragic confrontation.
Seeing the passion of our youth and all citizens for re-embracing the importance of liberal democracy, I believe that despite the current collapse of law and the prevailing darkness, the future of this country holds hope.
Dear citizens, please stay healthy and be strong.
Thank you.”