[Screengrab from Austria's public broadcaster ORF online edition] 

The 'University of Freedom,' which has been at the forefront of national enlightenment, particularly among Generation MZ, has sharply criticized the judiciary's contradictory first-instance ruling regarding the charges of rebellion leveled against President Yoon Suk-yeol. 

In a statement posted on social media (SNS) around midnight on the 19th, titled 'History Will Surely Re-examine Today's Verdict,' the University of Freedom lamented the reality that President Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of 'leading a rebellion,' stating, "The court ruled that martial law is the president's prerogative, but judged sending the military to the National Assembly as sedition." 

It further argued, "The judiciary's contradictory judgment, which acknowledges the authority while denying its execution, once again reveals the crisis of the constitutional order that the martial law proclamation pointed out." It emphasized, "The martial law proclaimed on December 3, 2024, was a resolute decision to restore national stability and a choice of responsibility, not power," and "The military deployed to the National Assembly prioritized the safety of the people, resulting in no armed conflict or indiscriminate suppression, and its lifting was also carried out according to constitutional procedures." 

The statement continued, "Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea clearly states: The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people. Nevertheless, today, the voices of the people were ignored," it lamented. "However, the Republic of Korea did not collapse, and our tears today are proof that we have not abandoned our country," it asserted, adding, "There was a leader who stepped forward saying, 'If someone has to do it, I will do it,' and there are people who came forward saying, 'I will protect our country during its crisis.'" 

The University of Freedom declared, "The stronger the wind blows, the more firmly the Taegeukgi flutters. Looking at that flag, we solemnly vowed to fight against corruption," and stated its position, "Since our president has not given up, we will continue to advance until the day of victory. YOON AGAIN. Martial law was justified." 

The following is the full statement from the University of Freedom. 

The court stated that martial law is the president's prerogative.

However, it judged the act of sending the military to the National Assembly as sedition.

As a result, life imprisonment was sentenced under the charge of 'leading a rebellion.'

The judiciary's contradictory judgment, which acknowledges the authority while denying its execution,

once again reveals the crisis of the constitutional order that the martial law proclamation pointed out.

The martial law proclaimed on December 3, 2024,

was a resolute decision to restore national stability.

It was a choice of responsibility, not power.

The military deployed to the National Assembly prioritized the safety of the people.

There was no armed conflict, nor indiscriminate suppression.

Its lifting was also carried out according to constitutional procedures.

Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea clearly states:

The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people.

Nevertheless, today, the voices of the people were ignored.

However, the Republic of Korea did not collapse.

Our tears today are proof that we have not abandoned our country.

There was a leader who stepped forward saying, 'If someone has to do it, I will do it,'

and there are people who came forward saying, 'I will protect our country during its crisis.'

The stronger the wind blows, the more firmly the Taegeukgi flutters.

Looking at that flag, we solemnly vowed to fight against corruption.

Since our president has not given up,

we will continue to advance until the day of victory.

YOON AGAIN.

Martial law was justified.

February 19, 2026. University of Freedom.