Thousands of people gathered in Seoul on Sunday, braving the heavy snow, to demonstrate either in support of or against the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. With his arrest warrant set to expire at midnight on Monday, tensions were high as political unrest threatened to escalate.
The arrest warrant, linked to allegations of insurrection, will expire soon, prompting protests near Yoon’s official residence. Demonstrators on both sides voiced their opinions, with some calling for his immediate arrest, while others strongly opposed the move.
Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to face the prospect of arrest. His controversial attempt to declare martial law on December 3 sparked significant political turmoil, affecting not only South Korea but also its relationship with key allies like the United States.
Court’s decision and legal challenges
On Sunday, the Seoul Western District Court rejected a challenge from Yoon’s legal team. They had argued that the arrest warrant was illegal and invalid. Yoon’s lawyers claim that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) does not have the legal authority to handle insurrection cases. However, reports indicate that the investigation involves a joint effort by both the military and the police. Legal experts argue that this makes the CIO’s involvement legally valid.
Yoon’s legal team plans to file a report with prosecutors, accusing the CIO of illegal actions. They claim that the anti-graft body improperly mobilised police officers to enforce the warrant. The CIO has not yet responded to these allegations.
Supporters and critics rally in the cold
Protests continued into Sunday, despite the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. Some protesters had camped out overnight in central Seoul. Leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the main organisers, said it was necessary to “restore the foundation of our society” by holding Yoon accountable for what they view as his actions against the constitution.
Meanwhile, supporters of Yoon gathered in nearby areas, holding signs such as “We will fight for President Yoon Suk-yeol” and “Stop the Steal”, echoing a phrase used by supporters of Donald Trump after the 2020 U.S. election.
Similar rallies took place on Saturday, with significant turnout and some clashes with the police. Protestors blocked roads, and two people were arrested for assaulting officers. On that same day, the CIO requested that acting President Choi Sang-mok, who serves as the finance minister, order the security service to cooperate with the arrest warrant. However, the finance ministry chose not to comment.
