Braving heavy snowfall ❄️, thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of Seoul this weekend, rallying both for and against the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. Talk about a dramatic showdown! 🇰🇷
With an arrest warrant for alleged insurrection hanging over his head, Yoon faces a critical moment as the warrant is set to expire at midnight on Monday. Protesters gathered near his official residence, some demanding his immediate arrest, while others stood firmly by his side.
Yoon made history by becoming South Korea's first sitting president to face arrest after his failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3, which plunged the nation into political turmoil. To top it off, an intense six-hour standoff unfolded on Friday when criminal investigators were blocked from arresting him by his presidential security service and military troops. Talk about high stakes! 🧐
On Sunday, the Seoul Western District Court rejected Yoon's legal team's complaint that the arrest warrant was illegal and invalid, adding fuel to the fiery debate.
Yoon's lawyers argue that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), leading the criminal investigation, lacks the authority under South Korean law to handle cases involving insurrection allegations. As Yoon is a former prosecutor, his legal team is keen on finding any loopholes to block the arrest.
Rong Ying, a professor at Sichuan University and senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, pointed out that the investigation isn't solely led by the CIO. \"It was a joint operation involving both the military and the police, so the argument that the CIO doesn't have the authority is not legally sound,\" he told CGTN.
Amid temperatures dropping below minus 5°C and heavy snow piling up, protesters showed no signs of backing down. \"We have to reestablish the foundation of our society by punishing the president who has denied the constitution,\" said Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). \"We must bring down the criminal Yoon Suk-yeol and arrest and detain him as soon as possible.\"
On the flip side, Yoon's supporters rallied with placards reading, \"We will fight for President Yoon Suk-yeol\" and \"Stop the Steal,\" echoing slogans familiar from recent U.S. protests.
With the arrest warrant's deadline approaching and tensions skyrocketing, South Korea finds itself at a crossroads. Will Yoon face arrest, or will his legal maneuvers buy him more time? One thing's for sure—the coming hours will be crucial for Asia's fourth-largest economy and its people. Stay tuned! ⏰
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
