In South Korea, tensions reached a boiling point as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Seoul on Saturday, staging rival protests over the fate of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. The demonstrations, split between supporters and opponents of Yoon, highlighted the nation’s deepening political rift as prosecutors press for his arrest following his controversial declaration of martial law last month.
Protesters gathered near the presidential residence and along major roads, demanding either Yoon’s immediate detention or the invalidation of his impeachment. This comes after Friday’s failed attempt by investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) to arrest Yoon, which resulted in a six-hour standoff with the presidential security service and military personnel at Yoon’s compound.
Prosecutors have now urged acting President Choi Sang-mok to intervene and compel the presidential security forces to comply with the arrest warrant before it expires on Monday. The standoff reportedly involved tense confrontations but no violence, leaving the warrant unexecuted and South Korea on edge.
Yoon faces severe charges of insurrection, one of the few crimes exempt from presidential immunity. If convicted, he could face significant prison time or even the death penalty. His legal team has called the attempted arrest “unconstitutional” and vowed to challenge the move in court.
Meanwhile, tensions simmered among protesters. Labor union members, including those from South Korea’s largest trade organization, attempted to march on Yoon’s residence but were blocked by police, leading to scuffles, injuries, and two arrests. Supporters of Yoon argue his arrest could destabilize South Korea’s alliances with the US and Japan and weaken the country’s security against North Korea.
The Constitutional Court has set January 14 as the date to begin Yoon’s impeachment trial, which will proceed with or without his presence. Investigators are weighing another attempt to arrest Yoon before the warrant expires, while the protests remain largely peaceful, though frustrations on both sides are mounting.
Observers warn that the prolonged political crisis risks further polarizing the nation. “The public’s patience is wearing thin,” said a local analyst. “If this situation drags on, it could spark larger unrest.”
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