In a dramatic escalation of South Korea’s political crisis, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Seoul today, intensifying calls for the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Yoon, who briefly declared martial law on December 3, remains ensconced in his fortified residence, defying multiple arrest attempts by authorities. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has vowed a renewed effort to detain Yoon, warning that any obstruction could lead to further detentions. Their initial attempt was thwarted by Yoon’s security detail, which has since reinforced the compound with barricades and barbed wire.
The nation’s capital has become a focal point for both supporters and opponents of the embattled president. Pro-Yoon demonstrators, some likening him to former U.S. President Donald Trump, have vowed to protect him, while opposition groups demand his immediate arrest and removal from office.
Yoon’s legal team contests the legitimacy of the arrest warrant, arguing that the CIO lacks the authority to enforce it. They warn that any attempt to detain him could provoke civil unrest, further deepening the nation’s divide.
As the constitutional court deliberates on Yoon’s impeachment, the political impasse shows no signs of abating. The coming days are critical, with the CIO preparing for a decisive move to enforce the arrest warrant, potentially reshaping South Korea’s political landscape
