[Full Text] Jeong Jin-seok "Yoon's Right to Defense Must Be Guaranteed... Third Location and Visit Investigation Possible"

On the 13th, marking one week since the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) reissued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, one side door of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is blocked with a bus, chains, and barbed wire. Photo by Yonhap News

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Jung Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President, stated on the 14th, "The police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) are reckless," adding, "Even though his duties have been suspended, they continue to pressure President Yoon Seok-yeol, the head of state and the highest constitutional institution, as if dealing with a South American drug cartel."

In a public appeal on the same day, Chief Jung said, "The conflict between state institutions has brought the country to the brink of division," and expressed a desperate determination to "stop this at all costs."

Chief Jung said, "The CIO, police, and the National Investigation Headquarters have completed preparations for a siege," adding, "They are ready to break down the fortress walls at any time and handcuff President Yoon, who is isolated in the Hannam-dong residence. It is said that even drug crime investigation units are being mobilized by the police and CIO."

He continued, "We are not asking for special treatment for President Yoon Seok-yeol," but appealed, "We are asking for the guarantee of the right to self-defense that any citizen of a liberal democratic republic should enjoy."

Below is the full text of the public appeal.

Dear respected citizens,

I am deeply ashamed and sorry for failing to properly assist the President in governing the country.

The conflict between state institutions has brought the country to the brink of division.

With a desperate heart to prevent this at all costs, I am making this direct appeal to the people.

President Yoon Seok-yeol is currently in a situation of Goseong Nakil (孤城落日) ? a solitary fortress with the sun setting. There is no one in sight to help.

The police and CIO are reckless. Tomorrow is said to be D-Day.

The CIO, police, and National Investigation Headquarters have completed preparations for a siege. They are ready to break down the fortress walls at any time and handcuff President Yoon, who is isolated in the Hannam-dong residence, and drag him out.

It is said that the police and CIO are mobilizing even drug crime investigation units. They plan to deploy police forces more than four to five times the size of the Presidential Security Service to neutralize the security detail.

Even though his duties have been suspended, they continue to pressure President Yoon Seok-yeol, the head of state and the highest constitutional institution, as if dealing with a South American drug cartel.

Dear citizens, we are not asking for special treatment for President Yoon Seok-yeol.

We are asking for the guarantee of the right to self-defense that any citizen of a liberal democratic republic should enjoy.

We must not silence the natural person Yoon Seok-yeol through partisan agitation that distorts facts or oppressive actions by investigative agencies.

The President must be guaranteed the right to fully exercise his defense and explain his position.

This is a right that must be equally guaranteed not only to the President but to all our citizens.

We must follow the narrow path pointed out by the Constitution and laws. As has always been the case in our modern history, that path is the right path.

Our Constitution declares that all criminal suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that all suspects should be investigated without detention as a principle.

Prominent opposition politicians are cunningly exploiting this judicial system to indefinitely delay trials, maintaining their seats in the National Assembly and avoiding judicial processing.

Why should only President Yoon Seok-yeol be expelled outside our judicial system? Is there any reason why the presumption of innocence and the principle of non-detention during investigation should not apply to Yoon Seok-yeol? The police and CIO are now shouting at the President, "You have confessed your crimes. Kneel down obediently and accept the handcuffs."

Should President Yoon Seok-yeol kneel under such oppressive threats? Is it fitting for the Republic of Korea in 2025 for President Yoon to be handcuffed and dragged out of the Hannam-dong residence by investigators? Is the real purpose of the CIO and police investigation, or is it to disgrace the President?

We ask the citizens to judge.

The most worrisome possibility is a clash between police forces and the Presidential Security Service. When state institutions collide, there can be no mediation or adjustment.

Moreover, even at this moment, thousands of citizens are staying overnight in front of the residence to protect the President. If a clash occurs between the police and citizens, an unimaginable tragedy could happen.

The only person who can prevent this conflict now is Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and head of the executive branch. The police and the Presidential Security Service must follow the instructions and command of Acting President Choi Sang-mok.

Acting President Choi gave the following directive yesterday: "If a conflict occurs between state institutions, it will leave an indelible scar on our constitutional history. All law enforcement must be conducted peacefully and with restraint." "Heads of related agencies should pay special attention to maintaining order and preventing conflicts. They should consult sufficiently with each other to ensure orderly law enforcement and the safety of working officials to prevent conflicts between affiliated agencies."

The Presidential Office is ready to negotiate with the police and CIO. We are open to considering investigations or visits to the President at a third location.

Democratic Party lawmakers involved in the so-called party convention cash envelope scandal have refused summons for over a year. What measures have our investigative agencies taken against those lawmakers?

Yesterday, President Yoon's legal representatives expressed concerns: "The National Investigation Headquarters is conducting illegal investigations without regard for national security and military secrets. We caution against the Headquarters' result-oriented approach aimed at boosting its status and demonstrating its capabilities by showing the arrest of the President at all costs."

We urge the police, CIO, and National Investigation Headquarters to regain composure. Please consider whether it is just to respond harshly only to President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Dear citizens, we will do everything possible to prevent a national crisis caused by a clash between the police, who intend to arrest the sitting President, and the Presidential Security Service, which seeks to prevent it. We earnestly appeal to you to unite your will so that this difficult situation can be resolved wisely. Thank you.

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