SEOUL, South Korea — Thousands of protesters took to the snow-laden streets of Seoul on Sunday, braving severe winter conditions to rally both for and against the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The demonstration came as the nation stands at the edge of political chaos, with tensions heightening over Yoon's defiance to comply with multiple summons for investigation.
The arrest warrant for Yoon is set to expire at midnight (1500 GMT) on Monday, prompting urgency among both supporters and opponents. Protesters calling for Yoon's ouster criticized his short-lived attempt to declare martial law, which plunged the country deep within the political crisis.
On Friday, authorities attempted to execute the arrest warrant against Yoon—issued after he obstructed investigations—but were thwarted by military and presidential security personnel, leading to a stunning standoff lasting over five hours. The escape of Yoon from the investigators highlighted the precarious nature of South Korea’s political environment as citizens rallied outside the gates of his residence.
Among the crowd, anti-Yoon protesters voiced their calls for retribution. Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, expressed the sentiments of many, stating, "We have to re-establish the foundation of our society by punishing the president who has denied the constitution." These remarks encapsulated the fervor among demonstrators, who described Yoon as “criminal” and demanded swift action for his arrest.
The cold weather, dropping to minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit), did not deter the activists. One protester, Lee Jin-ah, 28, demonstrated her resolve by stating, "Snow is nothing for me. They can bring all the snow and we'll still be here," emphasizing her commitment to personal sacrifice for the sake of safeguarding democracy.
Meanwhile, Yoon's supporters, undeterred by the growing pressures, set up their own camp nearby. They held banners proclaiming support for their leader, signaling their unwillingness to back down against what they claim is political persecution: "We will fight for President Yoon Suk Yeol" became their rallying cry, echoing sentiments from similar protests across the globe.
Behind closed doors, the political machinations have been equally fraught. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading the intense scrutiny over Yoon’s actions, urged Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok—acting president amid the crisis—to enforce compliance with the arrest warrant. Choi, so far, has refrained from providing public comments on the increasingly complex issue.
Yoon’s legal team has launched aggressive counteractions against these moves, claiming the arrest warrant is unconstitutional. Their objections rest on the protection afforded to locations with potential military secrets and the perceived overreach of the anti-corruption agency's authority. Legal representative Seok Dong-hyeon remarked, "Judging the legitimacy of any legal interpretation and execution is difficult," voicing concerns over reputation long associated with South Korea's legal process.
Add to this the chilling prospect of Yoon's potential arrest being historically significant; he could become the first sitting South Korean president to be detained should the warrant be executed. His impeachment, finalized on December 14, 2023, came swiftly after the martial law declaration was overturned within hours by the National Assembly.
The gravity of the situation has been underscored by recent support from international figures, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived on Sunday for talks with South Korean leaders. This collaboration provides additional layers of international scrutiny to Yoon’s crisis, regarded as pivotal by allies and adversaries alike on the geopolitical stage.
With the Constitutional Court set to deliberate Yoon's fate soon, the political future remains uncertain. Activists continue to question whether due process will prevail amid the political chaos. Kim Eun-jeong, one activist, articulated the sentiment felt by many protesters: "With barely a day left before the execution deadline for Yoon Seok Yeol's detainment warrant, the presidential security service continues to hide a criminal."
The contrasting protests fuel the already flammable political divide, pushing South Korea toward more confrontation over the next few days. Whether Yoon will surrender to the investigators or assert his authority remains the key question facing this embattled nation.