By Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL (AA) — South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol declared on Wednesday that he would “fight to the end to protect the country” in a message to his supporters gathered in front of his presidential residence in Seoul.
“Due to internal and external forces infringing on its sovereignty and the activities of anti-state groups, South Korea is now in danger," Yoon was quoted as saying by Seoul-based Yonhap News.
"With you, I will fight to the end to protect this country," he declared.
The media outlet reported that he sent the message to his supporters through an intermediary, which was written on an A4 sheet and signed by him.
In the message, he thanked his supporters and mentioned that he has been following their "efforts" on YouTube livestreams.
“A free democracy, where every national is the owner, not the state or a party, will surely prevail," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Seoul Western District Court issued an unprecedented arrest warrant against Yoon, who was impeached on Dec. 14 over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law. The arrest warrant is valid until Monday.
Yoon defied at least four summons from investigators to appear for questioning over charges of insurrection and treason.
The arrest warrant was issued on a request from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of masterminding the botched Dec. 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating an insurrection, and abusing power, the news agency reported.
Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korea to face charges of insurrection and treason, as well as travel ban, after his move which shocked the nation on the night of Dec. 3.