Recall, the embattled leader issued the bungled declaration on December 3 that led to his impeachment and has left him facing arrest, imprisonment, or the death penalty.
Supporters and opponents of Yoon have since camped outside his presidential residence, while members of his security team have blocked attempted police raids in a dramatic stand-off.
Yoon has gone to ground but remained unrepentant as the crisis has rolled on. He issued a defiant message to his base days before an arrest warrant expires on January 6.
Yoon said in a statement passed around to protesters and confirmed by his lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, that the Republic of Korea is currently in danger due to internal and external forces threatening its sovereignty, and the activities of anti-state elements.
Read Also: Opposition Moves To Impeach South Korea’s Acting President
He added that he watched the hundreds-strong protest on Wednesday evening on a YouTube livestream and vowed to fight alongside them to the very end to protect this nation.
Yoon Kab-keun confirmed to newsmen that the impeached leader remained inside the presidential compound.
Opposition lawmakers were quick to condemn Yoon Suk Yeol’s defiant message as inflammatory, with Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae calling him delusional and accusing him of trying to incite clashes.
The suspended president’s legal team has filed for an injunction to block the warrant and described the arrest order on Wednesday as an unlawful and invalid act.