Credited from: SCMP
South Korea is currently experiencing a significant political crisis as thousands of rival protesters gathered in Seoul following a failed attempt to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, who was impeached for declaring a brief martial law, has entrenched himself in the presidential residence, flanked by loyal security forces that successfully warded off investigators attempting to execute an arrest warrant on Friday.
The turmoil began after Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, which led to his impeachment on December 14. This unprecedented action has placed South Korea in uncharted political waters, prompting widespread protests across the capital as citizens either demand Yoon's arrest or call for his impeachment to be annulled (Al Jazeera).
During the attempted arrest, which spanned over six hours, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) struggled to reach Yoon, who was shielded by a human barricade of approximately 200 security personnel. The standoff ended unmet, leaving the warrant in limbo as it is set to expire soon, complicating the ongoing legal and constitutional processes against him (Reuters, The Guardian).
As protests unfolded on Saturday, demonstrators reinforced their positions both for and against Yoon, with supporters arguing that his arrest could jeopardize South Korea's security alliances with the United States and Japan. Kim Chul-hong, a Yoon supporter, stated on camera, “Protecting President Yoon means safeguarding our country’s security against threats from North Korea” (SCMP).
In a dramatic rise of tensions, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions attempted to march towards the presidential house but were blocked by police, resulting in several arrests and reports of injuries. The police have also requested the head of the presidential security service, Park Chong-jun, to cooperate with the investigation and appear for questioning, underscoring the growing scrutiny on his actions (SCMP).
Legal experts have expressed concerns that the complexities surrounding this case may complicate further attempts to arrest Yoon until the Constitutional Court rules on his impeachment. If executed, Yoon could be sentenced to prison or face more severe penalties which remain a substantial risk for the nation’s political stability (The Guardian). As political leaders navigate this crisis, the United States has called for collaboration towards a stable path amid escalating tensions.