South Korea’s political crisis deepened over the weekend, as thousands of protesters braved heavy snow in Seoul to rally both for and against the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. With an arrest warrant set to expire at midnight on Monday, demonstrations erupted near Yoon’s official residence, marking a critical point in the nation’s ongoing political turmoil.
Yoon, South Korea’s first sitting president to face arrest, is accused of insurrection for his failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3, which sparked chaos within the country and destabilized the economy. The controversy surrounding his actions has led to his impeachment by parliament, and he is currently suspended from official duties as a court deliberates whether to reinstate or remove him from office.
On Sunday, protesters rallied in freezing conditions, with temperatures dipping below minus 5°C and more than 5 cm of snow accumulating in parts of the capital. Some groups gathered overnight, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding Yoon’s immediate arrest. Yang Kyung-soo, the leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the major labor organizations involved in the protests, stated, “We have to reestablish the foundation of our society by punishing the president who has denied the constitution.” He called for Yoon’s swift detention, describing him as a “criminal.”
On the other side of the political spectrum, supporters of Yoon rallied with signs such as “We will fight for President Yoon Suk Yeol” and “Stop the Steal,” a phrase familiar to supporters of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following the 2020 election.
The protests intensified on Saturday, with tens of thousands taking to the streets. The KCTU protestors were involved in road blockages and traffic disruptions, prompting police action. Two individuals were detained on accusations of assaulting officers, according to Yonhap News Agency.
As the political crisis unfolds, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading the investigation into Yoon’s actions, requested acting President Choi Sang-mok to order Yoon’s presidential security service to comply with the arrest warrant. However, the ministry declined to comment on the matter.
With the deadline for Yoon’s arrest warrant fast approaching, South Korea stands on the brink of a significant political showdown, with no resolution in sight to the increasingly polarized debate over his fate.
Sources By Agencies
