South Korea’s impeached President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has vowed to resist efforts to arrest him in connection with his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.
In a letter addressed late Wednesday to hundreds of supporters rallying near his official residence, Yoon expressed gratitude for their backing.
“I am watching your efforts live on YouTube. I will fight until the end to protect this country alongside you,” he wrote.
The opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority and spearheaded Yoon’s impeachment on December 14, criticized the letter, calling it evidence of Yoon’s refusal to abandon his alleged insurrectionist agenda.
Party spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae accused Yoon of inciting supporters toward extreme confrontation, stating that his actions only add to the severity of his alleged crimes.
Earlier this week, a court approved an arrest warrant for Yoon, making him the first sitting South Korean president to face potential detention as part of an investigation into accusations of insurrection related to his martial law declaration.
Insurrection is one of the few crimes for which a South Korean president does not have immunity.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), in collaboration with police and prosecutors, has until January 6 to enforce the arrest warrant.
Currently, Yoon is suspended from his presidential duties, with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok serving as acting president pending the trial’s outcome.
Should the court uphold Yoon’s impeachment, he will be removed from office, and a new presidential election will be held within 60 days.