Thousands of South Koreans gathered in Seoul on Saturday, staging rival protests amid the ongoing political crisis surrounding impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures to either demand Yoon’s arrest or call for his impeachment to be overturned.
The turmoil began on December 3, when Yoon briefly declared martial law, directing soldiers to storm parliament in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting down the decree. This action led to his impeachment and suspension, pending a final decision from the Constitutional Court.
Efforts to arrest Yoon Suk Yeol have been met with resistance. On Friday, his chief of security, Park Chong-jun, resigned after being investigated for blocking the president’s arrest. Park warned that any further attempts to detain Yoon must avoid violence. His successor, Kim Seong-hun, is expected to continue efforts to prevent the execution of a second arrest warrant.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has stated it will “prepare thoroughly” for another attempt to arrest Yoon, cautioning that anyone obstructing their officers could face detention. The National Office of Investigation has also requested the mobilization of 1,000 investigators for the renewed effort.
Following the failed attempt to impose martial law, Yoon was impeached by parliament and suspended from office, pending a final ruling from the constitutional court on his removal.
Yoon Suk Yeol has been defying arrest following a standoff last week between his security team and investigators, triggered by his unsuccessful December 3 power grab, which has thrown South Korea into its most severe political crisis in decades.
If arrested, Yoon Suk Yeol would become the first sitting South Korean president to be detained. He faces criminal charges of insurrection, a serious offense not covered by presidential immunity, which could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to begin Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial on January 14. It remains unclear whether Yoon will attend, as he has indicated potential legal issues that might prevent his appearance. The outcome of this trial will be pivotal in determining South Korea’s political future.