Amid heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of Seoul this weekend both supporting and opposing the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. The nation stands at a critical juncture as the political crisis deepens, with an arrest warrant for Yoon on charges of alleged insurrection set to expire at midnight on Monday.
Demonstrators gathered near the president’s official residence, braving the elements to make their voices heard. Some called for Yoon’s immediate arrest, holding banners that read, “We must bring down the criminal Yoon Suk-yeol,” while others rallied in his defense, pledging, “We will fight for President Yoon Suk-yeol.”
Yoon, who was impeached by parliament and suspended from official duties, faces arrest over his attempt to declare martial law on December 3—a move that plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy into political turmoil. The Constitutional Court now deliberates on whether to reinstate or permanently remove him from office.
The tension escalated on Friday when criminal investigators were met with resistance from Yoon’s presidential security service and military troops during a six-hour standoff, preventing his arrest. The Seoul Western District Court rejected a complaint from Yoon’s legal team on Sunday, affirming the validity of the arrest warrant despite their claims of illegality.
Yoon’s lawyers argue that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), leading the criminal investigation, lacks the authority to handle cases involving insurrection under South Korean law. “If there is an error in the legality of law enforcement against the incumbent president, it will be a big problem,” stated Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon, on social media.
However, experts suggest that the legal grounds for the investigation are sound. “It wasn’t just the CIO investigating the case. It was a joint operation involving both the military and the police,” explained Rong Ying, chair professor at Sichuan University and senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies. “The argument that the CIO doesn’t have the authority is not legally sound.”
The protests reflect a nation divided. Labor groups like the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have been vocal in their demand for accountability. “We have to reestablish the foundation of our society by punishing the president who has denied the constitution,” declared KCTU leader Yang Kyung-soo during the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters fear a political overreach. Placards bearing slogans like “Stop the Steal” highlighted the fervor mirroring political unrest seen elsewhere in the world.
As the arrest warrant’s expiration looms, the Corruption Investigation Office has appealed to acting President Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, to order compliance from the presidential security service. The finance ministry has declined to comment on the situation.
With tensions high and the clock ticking, South Korea’s immediate future hangs in the balance. The outcome of this crisis could have profound implications for the nation’s democratic institutions and its role on the global stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
