Actor Choi Jun-yong, 59, showed tears on a live YouTube broadcast upon hearing the news of President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest, which he had previously expressed support for.
President Yoon was arrested around 10:33 a.m. on charges related to the 12·3 emergency martial law crisis. This is the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that an incumbent president has been arrested by an investigative agency. He is being investigated at the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Office (CIO) in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.
Choi Jun-yong held a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on the 15th. His wife also appeared during the broadcast, shedding tears. Choi said, referring to President Yoon, who was arrested that morning and being investigated at the CIO, "We will stand by him until the end."
Choi Jun-yong mentioned, "I will rush to Gwacheon when I finish up at the store," and added, "I plan to move forward without retreating alongside all of you." He further stated, "What crime has our president committed? My mother also called this morning, worried about why he is being taken away," suggesting, "I believe everyone feels the same way."
Choi Jun-yong's 15-year-younger wife, Han, expressed, "I'm so angry," and wept loudly. Choi stated, "My wife is crying in the back," and remarked, "I feel like I have tears in my eyes." Han has previously appeared in various entertainment programs alongside Choi, making her face known. As Han left, Choi showed signs of tears. He briefly stepped away, appearing overwhelmed with emotion while wiping his eyes.
Choi Jun-yong said, "I will send a coffee truck in front of the CIO to support President Yoon," adding, "I plan to prepare about 1,000 cups of coffee, so please come and warm yourselves up." However, he later announced through the YouTube community board that "the coffee truck event scheduled for today has been canceled due to a lack of suitable location," stating, "I will inform you later."
Choi Jun-yong debuted in 1992 as an SBS 2nd generation public recruit actor. He became known through productions such as SBS's 'The Age of The Musang' and 'Temptation of Wife.' He remarried Han in 2019 and has a son with his ex-wife. Choi publicly declared his support for President Yoon during the 20th presidential election in 2022, while Yoon was a candidate, and even attended Yoon's inauguration ceremony to confirm this. Since the impeachment crisis triggered by President Yoon's declaration of a state of emergency, he has participated in anti-impeachment rallies and has made statements supporting martial law.