11th January 2025 – (Seoul) On Saturday, 11th January, thousands of South Koreans converged in the capital for competing demonstrations as investigators prepared to make a renewed attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial martial law decree.
Yoon faced a standoff last week when he resisted arrest, following a failed power grab on 3rd December that has plunged South Korea into its most significant political turmoil in decades. Protesters gathered in sub-zero temperatures along major thoroughfares in Seoul, with some demanding Yoon’s arrest while others called for his impeachment to be deemed invalid.
The political climate has been fraught with tension since Yoon ordered troops to storm the National Assembly in a bid to prevent lawmakers from voting against the martial law, a move that ultimately failed. Since his impeachment, Yoon has been increasingly isolated.
“Despite our efforts, he continues to evade accountability, and both the police and the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) have failed to act decisively,” said Kim Min-ji, a 25-year-old student protesting against Yoon. “It is crucial for us to raise our voices until he is removed from office.”
Conversely, Yoon supporter Su Yo-hahn, aged 71, defended the president’s actions, claiming that the martial law declaration was intended to combat anti-state elements. “He is someone who was elected by the people and represents our country. Saving Yoon is the way to save our nation,” Su asserted.
Yoon’s supporters began rallying outside his residence early on Saturday ahead of a major demonstration scheduled for 1pm in central Seoul. Anti-Yoon protests were planned for 2.30pm and 4pm.
Facing criminal charges of insurrection—one of the few crimes exempt from presidential immunity—Yoon could potentially be sentenced to prison or even face the death penalty. Should the arrest warrant be executed, he would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.
The situation escalated further on Friday when Yoon’s presidential security chief, Park Chong-jun, resigned amid questioning regarding why Yoon’s guards obstructed the arrest during a tense six-hour standoff. Park was under investigation again on Saturday, while acting PSS chief Kim Seong-hun failed to respond to a third summons, which could lead to his arrest.
The CIO announced plans to prepare thoroughly for their second attempt to arrest Yoon, warning that any obstruction could result in detention. The National Office of Investigation has requested the mobilisation of 1,000 investigators in anticipation of the fresh attempt.
In addition to the insurrection investigation, Yoon is also facing ongoing impeachment proceedings. Although lawmakers have suspended him, the Constitutional Court is set to determine whether to uphold this decision or reinstate him in office, with the impeachment trial scheduled to begin on 14th January, even in Yoon’s absence.
Polls indicate that approval ratings for Yoon’s ruling party have been rising amid the crisis. On Friday, opposition parties submitted a resolution demanding the expulsion of a ruling People Power Party lawmaker accused of facilitating a press conference for the far-right Anti-Communist Youth Corps, which has drawn criticism for its association with a controversial police unit that suppressed pro-democracy protests in the 1980s and 1990s
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