South Korea's deposed president, Jun Suk Jeol, said he would “fight to the end” against “anti-state forces.” A detention order was issued against the president for imposing martial law.
Jun Suk Jeol December 3 imposed martial law in South Koreawhich lasted only a few hours and was canceled under pressure from the parliament and demonstrations by thousands of people. Law enforcement authorities are investigating whether its introduction was an act of rebellion – the president's immunity does not protect him from such an accusation.
The Bureau for the Prosecution of Corruption among High-ranking Officials has one week to implement the arrest order issued by a court in Seoul on Tuesday. According to Reuters, this would make Jun Suk Jeol the first sitting president in the country's history to be detained.
The president has refused to appear for questioning several times and is preventing a search of his office, hampering the investigation. The anti-corruption agency's chief prosecutor, Oh Dong Wun, said police force could be used if Jun's security prevented him from being detained. However, it is unclear whether he can be forced to participate in the hearing.
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“I will fight to the end to protect this country with you.”
The suspended president's legal team issued a statement on Wednesday warning that attempting to use the police to arrest the politician would be an overreach of power. According to them, police officers who try to detain the president may be detained by the “presidential security service or any citizens.”
In a statement to his supporters, Jun thanked them for their efforts to defend “democracy and constitutional order.” According to Reuters, in the letter he also assured that “he will fight to the end to protect this country together with them (his supporters – ed.).
His lawyers say the detention order is “invalid” because the anti-corruption agency has no right to investigate the sedition case. They also accuse the court of ignoring the law, which states that places potentially related to military secrets cannot be searched without the consent of the person responsible for them.
Jun Suk Jeol's supporters protest near his residence in Seoul (December 31, 2024)PAP/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Main photo source: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images