Park Jung-won

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s reaction to a democratic president’s worst political nightmare — impeachment and possible removal from office, pending a trial — couldn’t have been more different from that of his conservative predecessor, Park Geun-hye. Despite being impeached by the National Assembly and confined to his residence for some 40 days while being blasted by nonstop media criticism, Yoon has never lost his composure.

After his martial law declaration on Dec. 3 was rejected by the National Assembly, Yoon explained in detail the reasons for his decision and asserted its legitimacy. He maintained the same stance before being arrested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of rebellion. He sent messages to those in the streets protesting his arrest, encouraging them to continue the fight; he handwrote a long and detailed letter about the events that led to the current situation and the value he sees in this struggle; and just moments before his detention, he even recorded a three-minute video using a phone to express his views.

Yoon’s high approval rating, currently nearing 50 percent, points to two things: many may infer from his confident stance that he has no guilt to hide; and that fighting back against what they perceive as unjust persecution is viewed as the right thing to do.

Yoon’s subjection to unfair legal treatment during the investigation for treason charges has deeply unsettled not only conservatives but also some moderates and has struck a chord, especially with younger people. Despite the Criminal Procedure Act proclaiming........

© The Korea Times