Seoul: The chief of staff for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized on Tuesday the importance of ensuring Yoon's right to defend himself. This statement comes as the Constitutional Court is poised to commence a trial regarding Yoon's controversial martial law declaration, a move that has significantly impacted his presidency.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung Jin-suk, serving as Yoon's chief of staff, made this appeal amidst preparations by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the police for a second attempt to detain the embattled leader. Chung highlighted the essential nature of self-defense rights, which should be accessible to all citizens within a liberal democratic framework.
The initial attempt to detain Yoon on January 3 was unsuccessful, resulting from a standoff between law enforcement and presidential security personnel, with Yoon refusing to comply with detention efforts. Chung criticized the treatment of Yoon, comparing it to that of a "member of a South American drug cartel," and expressed the office's willingness to discuss alternative investigation procedures that do not involve detention.
Chung proposed alternatives such as questioning Yoon at a neutral location or conducting a visit for interrogation purposes. He also voiced concerns about the potential for conflict between police, security personnel, and Yoon's supporters during the next attempt to detain the president, who remains at his fortified residence in Yongsan, central Seoul.
Chung noted the presence of thousands of citizens outside the presidential residence, expressing fears that any confrontation between them and the police could result in a severe and tragic outcome. Meanwhile, Yoon's defense team announced that he would not be attending the initial hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, citing safety concerns amid ongoing preparations for his arrest.