Thousands of people to protest both for and against South Korea's president

Thousands of South Koreans protest after cops fail to arrest president

Daily Mail

Story by Taryn Pedler

 • 9h • 05/01/2025  3 min read

 

Thousands of South Koreans protest after cops fail to arrest president

 

Thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets during a snowstorm after police failed to arrest the country's impeached president.

Furious demonstrators staged their second day of rallies Sunday in support or opposition of President Yoon Suk Yeol, with South Korea's political crisis appearing to be heading toward another high-stakes confrontation.

 

With an arrest warrant against Yoon for alleged insurrection expiring at midnight on Monday, multiple groups held demonstrations near his official residence, some urging his immediate arrest and others protesting against it.

Insurrection, one of a few crimes not subject to presidential immunity, means he could be sentenced to prison or, at worst, the death penalty.

If the warrant is executed, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.

However, South Korea's presidential security service said on Sunday it could not co-operate with officials trying to arrest the impeached president in light of the legal debate surrounding the warrant for his arrest. 

Yoon plunged the country into political chaos last month over his botched attempt to declare martial law on December 3, which triggered political chaos engulfing Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key US ally.  

 

The leader has since holed up in the presidential residence, surrounded by hundreds of loyal security officers.   

An attempt to arrest him by investigators Friday failed when a tense six-hour standoff with his presidential security service ended over security fears, with his supporters also camped outside.

Thousands descended on his residence again Sunday despite bitter snow conditions blanketing the capital - with one camp demanding Yoon's arrest while the other called for his impeachment to be declared invalid.

'Snow is nothing for me. They can bring all the snow and we'll still be here,' said anti-Yoon protester Lee Jin-ah, 28, who had previously worked at a coffee shop.

'I quit my job to come to protect our country and democracy,' she said, adding that she had camped outside the residence overnight.

Park Young-chul, in his 70s, said the snowstorm wouldn't deter him from showing up to back Yoon before the warrant expires.

 

'I went through war and minus 20 degrees in the snow to fight the commies. This snow is nothing. Our war is happening again,' he told AFP.

The rallies in the cold come as Yoon this week said he was watching protests in support of his rule on a YouTube livestream, pledging to 'fight' those trying to question his short-lived power grab.   

A prosecutors' report for his former defence minister showed Yoon ignored the objections of key cabinet ministers before his failed martial law bid.

It said the country's then prime minister, foreign minister and finance minister all expressed reservations about the potential economic and diplomatic fallout in a cabinet meeting on the night of the decision.

The country's opposition Democratic Party called Saturday for the dissolution of the security service protecting Yoon.

Their announcement followed scenes of high drama on Friday, when hundreds of Yoon's guards and military troops shielded him from investigators who eventually called off the arrest attempt citing safety concerns.

 

The security service's top officials have refused police requests for questioning, citing the 'serious nature' of protecting Yoon.

Yoon's lawyers decried the warrant underpinning Friday's arrest attempt as 'unlawful and invalid', and filed an objection to the Seoul court that issued it.

But the court told AFP Sunday the objection case was dismissed, saying the reasons could not be disclosed.

Yoon's lawyer said they would file another complaint against the head of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) that tried to arrest Yoon.

The president's legal team 'intend to hold those who committed illegal acts strictly accountable under the law,' Yoon Kab-keun said in a statement.

The Constitutional Court slated January 14 for the start of Yoon's impeachment trial, which if he does not attend would continue in his absence.

However the suspended leader plans to appear at 'an appropriate session' of the trial's five hearings, lawyer Yoon said Sunday.

South Korea's Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers.

Until then, while suspended, Yoon holds the title of president.

Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye never appeared for their impeachment trials.

 

 

 

Thousands brave freezing conditions to protest against South Korean president as he faces arrest

Sky News

5h • 06/01/2025 2 min read

 

Thousands of people have braved freezing temperatures and snow to protest both for and against South Korea's president outside his residence in Seoul.

Crowds began gathering in freezing temperatures overnight. Pic: AP© Associated Press

 

A warrant was last week issued for the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol over the short-lived marital law decree he issued in early December 2023.

The conservative president, seemingly frustrated that his policies were being blocked, declared martial law and ordered troops to surround South Korea's National Assembly on 3 December.

The Assembly unanimously overturned the declaration in a matter of hours and impeached Mr Yoon, accusing him of rebellion, on 14 December.

Pro-Yoon protesters wrapped up warm to defend the president. Pic: Reuters© Reuters

At the same time, anti-corruption authorities and public prosecutors opened separate investigations into the events.

Police guarding the road leading to the residence. Pic: Reuters© Reuters

 

Last Tuesday, a Seoul court issued warrants for Mr Yoon's detention and for his home to be searched - but enforcing them while he remains inside the residence is complicated.

Dozens of officials failed in their attempt to execute the warrants on Friday when they were forced to retreat after a six-hour standoff with the presidential security service.

An effigy of President Yoon Suk Yeol covered in snow. Pic: Reuters© Reuters

 

Ahead of the warrants expiring at midnight on Monday (3pm GMT) thousands of anti-Yoon protesters rallied near the gates of the presidential residence on Sunday, while pro-Yoon groups gathered in a nearby street. They were separated by police barricades.

Anti-Yoon protesters in Seoul. Pic: AP© Associated Press

 

Some of the demonstrators had gathered overnight, when temperatures fell below -5°C amid a heavy snow warning.

Speaking on stage at the anti-Yoon rally, activist Kim Eun-jeong said: "The presidential security service continues to hide a criminal."

 

Nearby, Mr Yoon's supporters held placards with messages including "We will fight for President Yoon Suk Yeol" and "Stop the Steal" - a phrase popularised by Donald Trump supporters after his 2020 election loss.

Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised address last month. Pic: AP© Associated Press

 

At the residence itself, security staff were seen installing barbed wire, possibly in preparation to fend off another arrest attempt.

The president's lawyers have claimed the arrest warrant is unconstitutional because the CIO, which is leading the criminal investigation, has no authority to investigate insurrection allegations.

Mr Yoon's defence minister, police chief and several top military commanders have so far been arrested for their roles in the martial law controversy.

Mr Yoon's supporters carried signs with a slogan borrowed from Donald Trump fans. Pic: AP© Associated Press

 

Thousands protest after failed attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon • FRANCE 24 English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs8mGilDWNk

 

 

Jan 5, 2025 #Yoon #South #martial

Thousands of rival South Korean protesters rallied in the capital Saturday, a day after a failed attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol for imposing a short-lived martial law decree that led to his impeachment. #Yoon Suk Yeol #South Korea #martial law

 

 

Impeached president Yoon's security and supporters block his arrest I DW News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9BHtglZX6M

 

Jan 4, 2025 #YoonSukYeol #SouthKorea #Crisis

South Korean investigators have suspended their efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection over his short-lived martial law decree last month. The decision follows a standoff with security services and with hundreds of Yoon's supporters gathered outside his residence in the South Korean capital, vowing to block his arrest. Yoon's lawyers called the arrest warrant 'invalid' and 'illegal'.