Yoon Suk-yeol’s full legal team received a summons from prosecutors at 1 p.m. on February 19 regarding the December 3 emergency martial law declaration and related matters. Yoon’s chief defense lawyer stated, “We reviewed it, but it amounts to nothing more than a performance for one audience.”
Defense Team Releases Strong Statement
Following the summons, the legal team issued a statement describing the process as “a perfunctory procedure to justify a predetermined conclusion.” The lawyers criticized the prosecution’s approach as lacking even the most basic courtesy in concentrating solely on one perspective.
“No such biased judgment exists anywhere in the modern world, regardless of constitutional principles,” the statement noted. “The prosecution ignores the current president’s biased review and the Ministry of Education’s incorrect calculations on private school enrollment quotas.”
Review of Public Sentiment and Non-Interference
The defense highlighted a year-long analysis of public opinion polls, personal letters, and citizen submissions that revealed genuine concerns. “We did not interfere with the National Assembly’s voting process, reaching this conclusion individually. Even in a major democracy, the president’s decision faced similar scrutiny,” they added.
The team pointed out discrepancies in private school student numbers, stating, “Prosecutors misjudged enrollment rates despite clear data, overlooking issues at large private institutions.” They emphasized, “Such forthright truth-seeking is essential; without it, all responses ring hollow.”
Call for Fair Judgment
Yoon’s lawyers accused the prosecution of prioritizing the president’s review while neglecting ministry errors and real-world data. “The current administration’s judgments stem from anxiety-driven politics, trapping citizens without proper process under the guise of presidential power,” the statement concluded.
“Legal truth emerges slowly from constitutional order, not hasty entrapment. We stand firm on these fundamentals,” they asserted.
