[Choice Times=Sang-Hyun Park, Staff Reporter]

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 18th released a Christmas message from prison addressed to young people who have supported him.

This marks his fourth message from detention, following earlier prison messages calling for the dismissal of charges against soldiers under investigation and trial over the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, as well as a Chuseok holiday message.

In the message, Yoon said, “I am deeply encouraged and grateful for the young people who awakened to protect freedom, justice, and sovereignty, and who practice ‘love of neighbor’ and ‘love of country.’” He reiterated his previous stance, adding, “The desperate belief that we must pass on a proper nation to our children was one of the reasons I gave everything and declared a state of emergency.”

Yoon’s lawyer, Bae Ui-cheol, wrote on social media that day, sharing the “Dec. 18 Christmas Message to Young People,” noting that “today is former President Yoon’s 65th birthday,” and adding, “While praying in prison for young people, he asked that this Christmas message be delivered.”

In the message, Yoon said, “To stand together and fight when another person’s freedom is trampled is love of neighbor. As countless neighbors come together to form a nation, love of neighbor is love of country.” He continued, “Therefore, Jesus’ teachings are the practice of patriotism and the power that stops tyranny that suppresses freedom.”

He went on to say, “My wife and I have no children. That is why you feel like my children to me,” adding, “Though I am enduring hardship in prison, the Republic of Korea has gained hope from what the young people have shown.”

Quoting the Bible, he said, “‘The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us’ (Romans 8:18). Even if you are now in times of trial and hardship, your tomorrow will shine even more brilliantly.” He added, “So, young people, take heart. You are the lamps that illuminate a dark age.”

Yoon concluded, “I sincerely pray that the grace of Christmas will remain with you at every step, that you remain healthy above all else, and that your beautiful dreams come true. Young people who do not remain silent in the face of corruption and injustice are the disciples of Jesus in this age.”

Below is the full text of former President Yoon’s Christmas message.

Message Conveyed from President Yoon Suk-yeol During a Prison Visit

Today is the president’s 65th birthday. Even so, while praying in prison for young people, he asked that this Christmas message be delivered.

< Christmas Message to Young People, Dec. 18 >

Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is not merely a moral teaching. To stand together and fight when another person’s freedom is trampled is love of neighbor. As countless neighbors come together to form one nation, love of neighbor is love of country (patriotism). Therefore, Jesus’ teachings are the practice of patriotism and the power that halts tyranny that suppresses freedom.

That is why I am encouraged and grateful for the young people who awakened to protect freedom, justice, and sovereignty, and who practice love of neighbor and love of country. Because of you, the future of the Republic of Korea is bright and hopeful.

My wife and I have no children. That is why you feel like my children to me. What parent would ever wish harm upon their child? The desperate belief that we must pass on a proper nation to our children was one of the reasons I gave everything and declared a state of emergency. As a result, I am now enduring hardship in prison, but the Republic of Korea has gained hope from what the young people have shown.

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Even if you are now in times of trial and hardship, your tomorrow will shine even more brilliantly. Therefore, young people, take heart. You are the lamps that illuminate a dark age.

I sincerely pray to God that the grace of Christmas will remain with you at every step, that you stay healthy above all else, and that your beautiful dreams come true. Young people who do not remain silent in the face of corruption and injustice are the disciples of Jesus in this age.

December 18, 2025
Suk-Yeol Yoon

#ChristmasMessage #YouthAndFreedom #PrisonLetter