Yoon Suk-Yeol has defended his decision to declare martial law last year, which sparked massive protests and led to his eventual ouster. But Yoon still insists the state of emergency was necessary to combat what he sees as “China- and North Korea-friendly and treasonous activities.”
He also criticizes his successor Lee Jae-Myung for leading an “unjust and corrupt dictatorship.”
Yoon is accused of rebellion and faces the death penalty if convicted.
Lee Jae-Myung also issued a statement on the anniversary of Yoon Syk-Yeol's dramatic statement on martial law. According to him, South Korea has "overcome an unprecedented crisis of democracy in world history through peaceful means."
"National unity is my priority," he says in the statement.
On Wednesday, South Korean prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence and a fine of over 12 million kronor for Yoon's wife Kim Keon-Hee, who is accused of stock fraud and corruption.
She was arrested in August and is being investigated for alleged stock manipulation and for accepting gifts from the Moon Movement (Unification Church), which is widely seen as a cult.
