Amid swirling snowflakes and biting cold, thousands of South Koreans gathered in Seoul on Sunday, January 5, to express their support or opposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces mounting legal troubles after a failed attempt to declare martial law. Yoon, suspended from office and resisting arrest as a warrant looms, has plunged the nation into a deep political crisis, with his supporters and detractors taking to the streets.
The protest scenes, filled with determination despite the harsh winter weather, highlighted the deep divisions within South Korean society. On one side, anti-Yoon protesters demanded his arrest, while on the other, his supporters insisted that the impeachment should be overturned.
“Snow is nothing for me. They can bring all the snow and we’ll still be here,” said Lee Jin-ah, a 28-year-old protester who quit her job to participate. “I quit my job to come to protect our country and democracy,” she added, having camped outside the presidential residence overnight.
Park Young-chul, in his 70s, braved the snowstorm to voice his support for Yoon. “I went through war and minus 20 degrees in the snow to fight the commies. This snow is nothing. Our war is happening again,” Park remarked, underscoring the fervent resolve of Yoon’s backers.
President Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law last month has left the nation in turmoil. Following the failed bid, he has remained holed up in the presidential residence, shielded by hundreds of loyal security officers. The tension reached a peak on Friday when investigators attempted to arrest him, resulting in a six-hour standoff. The arrest attempt was eventually called off over security concerns.
Sunday’s rally saw thousands of demonstrators despite the heavy snowfall blanketing Seoul. As the deadline for Yoon’s arrest warrant approaches, the capital remains tense, with protestors steadfast in their positions.
President Yoon faces severe criminal charges of insurrection—one of the few crimes that strip away presidential immunity. If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. His potential arrest would mark an unprecedented moment in South Korean history, as no sitting president has ever been arrested.
A report seen by AFP on Sunday revealed that Yoon proceeded with the martial law declaration despite objections from key cabinet members. The report detailed that the then-prime minister, foreign minister, and finance minister all warned of the significant economic and diplomatic consequences.
The opposition Democratic Party has called for the dissolution of Yoon’s security service following the dramatic scenes on Friday, where his guards and military forces thwarted the investigators’ efforts.
Chief of the presidential security service, Park Jong-joon, defended the decision to prevent Yoon’s arrest. “Executing an arrest warrant amid allegations of procedural and legal impropriety undermines the service’s fundamental mission of securing the President’s absolute safety,” Park stated. He has since refused a police request for questioning, maintaining that his duty is to protect the sitting president.
The crisis has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arriving in Seoul late Sunday. Blinken is set to hold discussions with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday, with the political unrest expected to be a significant topic of conversation. As a key security ally, the U.S. is likely to play a role in navigating the turmoil.
Yoon’s legal team has declared the arrest warrant “unlawful and invalid,” filing objections and planning further legal challenges against the head of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO). Despite these efforts, the Seoul court dismissed their objections, leaving Yoon’s team scrambling for alternative legal remedies.
The Constitutional Court has scheduled Yoon’s impeachment trial to begin on January 14. Although Yoon plans to attend select sessions, his presence is not required for the trial to proceed. The court has a 180-day window to decide whether to remove Yoon from office permanently or reinstate his powers.
Historically, former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye abstained from attending their impeachment trials. Yoon’s case continues to set unique precedents in South Korean politics.
The outcome of Yoon’s legal battles and the impeachment trial will have profound implications for South Korea’s political landscape. The nation remains deeply divided, with the protests in the snow encapsulating the intense emotions and stakes involved.
As the arrest warrant’s deadline looms, and with Yoon’s fate hanging in the balance, South Korea finds itself at a critical juncture. Whether through the judiciary or the streets, the country’s future leadership and stability are being fiercely contested.
