Support for Impeached South Korean President Amid New Arrest Warrant

Wednesday 08 January 2025 - 16:33

Supporters of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered outside his residence in Seoul on Wednesday, rallying in defiance as investigators prepared to make another attempt to arrest him. This comes after Yoon’s controversial martial law decree on December 3 triggered the country’s worst political crisis in decades, leading to his impeachment. Since then, Yoon has resisted questioning and arrest.

The investigation team secured a new arrest warrant for Yoon on Tuesday after an initial warrant expired. In response, hundreds of Yoon's supporters gathered at his residence, braving freezing temperatures. They expressed their unwavering belief in his return to power, despite the harsh weather conditions. One supporter, Lee Hye-sook, a 57-year-old woman, shared her confidence in Yoon’s resilience, stating, “Witnessing their resilience against the wind and cold, I am confident that President Yoon Suk Yeol will return, and we will prevail.”

Some supporters left flowers and displayed ribbons with slogans such as “Make Korea Great Again,” while others waved American flags. Their chants echoed through the cold night, with many insisting that the impeachment process was invalid.

Meanwhile, rival protesters, advocating for Yoon's arrest, held placards and waved glowsticks, reminiscent of K-pop concerts, demanding that the president be detained. Yoon’s legal team confirmed on Wednesday that he remains inside his residence, despite ongoing questions about his location.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), responsible for leading the investigation, has not disclosed the duration of the new arrest warrant. If Yoon is apprehended, he will become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.