‘My country is in crisis’: Divided South Korea grapples with Yoon’s arrest

Tears, disappointed cries and shocked faces: this was the reaction of South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol from his supporters outside his home after hearing the news that he had been arrested.

he was one The moment that was weeks in the making – Since the last attempt to arrest Yoon on January 3 failed dramatic standoff,

Yet, when news of his arrest broke Wednesday morning, it seemed to create even more uncertainty — and highlight divisions in a country already torn by Yun’s short-lived martial law order and impeachment by parliament. Has become deeply polarized.

“This country is in crisis,” said a woman supporting Yoon with tears streaming down her face. “I have been praying for a stable and peaceful South Korea since last night.”

Both sides say this is what they want but they can’t agree on how to get there.

For the past month, a defiant Yoon, 64, had been hiding inside his presidential compound in central Seoul as his supporters and critics rallied outside. They made Yeongsan the epicenter of protests in central Seoul, where tensions were often high.

Hundreds of them camped overnight on Tuesday as arrests seemed imminent, with temperatures dropping to -8C. The only thing they shared were food trucks that kept them warm with hot drinks and instant noodles.

Yoon’s supporters jostled with police officers – numbering 3,000 – who had gathered to detain him. “Don’t call us stupid far-right,” shouted one protester, reflecting the frustration in the Yun camp.

A completely different scene unfolded on the other side of the road. Yun’s opponents, who have long called for his arrest, celebrated with chants and cheers.

Their cheering further angered the pro-Yun camp, with some shouting: “Don’t taunt us – it’s not funny.”

The bay is not limited to this corner of Yongsan. This crisis has been looming over the entire country for more than a month.

Yun’s shocking declaration of martial law on 3 December almost immediately divided public opinion into two camps.

While some believed his claims put the country in danger, a larger group saw the move as an opportunistic abuse of power. This sentiment was also reflected within Yun’s own party, as many of its lawmakers voted to impeach him.

The growing opposition to Yoon’s actions has led to a state of mourning throughout the country.

The end of the year season in South Korea is usually lively. But this year has been completely different. along with political turmoil disastrous jeju air crash On 29th December – A quiet and sad atmosphere has been created.

Yoon himself had largely stayed away from the public since he was impeached by parliament in mid-December.

He never came out of his residence to meet his supporters. On New Year’s Day, he sent them a note, saying he was “watching (them) closely” via YouTube livestream. He did not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial on January 14, delaying the proceedings.

He had earlier refused to comply with several summonses as part of a criminal investigation on rebellion charges, which had led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

On Wednesday, he issued a video statement saying he would cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) to avoid “bloodshed”, while claiming that his arrest warrant was not legally valid.

This was a major operation, which was followed by a warning from the CIO that if the presidential security team again tried to prevent Yoon’s arrest, he too could be arrested. Unlike last time, the CIO and police were successful in detaining Yun, although negotiations still took hours.

As soon as he came out of the presidential complex, the roads around him started becoming empty. The protesters dispersed and police barricades were removed.

Some of Yun’s supporters went to the CIO office where he is being interrogated. Another warrant is needed to detain him for more than 48 hours.

While Yoon’s arrest has ended the security standoff, it has not closed the rift within South Korea, which has emerged in recent decades as a leading global economy and a symbol of democracy in Asia.

“There is no point in arresting the leader of the country,” declared a protester outside the presidential compound.

An opposition voice countered: “Executing the arrest warrant is a necessary step – Yun attempted to undermine the country’s democracy.”

Yun himself continues to question whether the CIO has the authority to arrest him – his lawyer says no, because the rebellion is not a corruption charge. But the CIO says the rebellion is a form of abuse of power – a charge it is within his jurisdiction to investigate.

What may appear to be a legal debate has delved deep into political territory, with both sides trying to control the narrative.

The swift impeachment of Yoon’s immediate successor – Prime Minister Han Duk-soo – has already led to accusations that impeachment is being used as a political tool against Yoon’s allies. And Yoon’s impeachment trial underway this week has created more uncertainty.

The public’s focus will be on what statements, if any, Yoon makes while in custody or at the hearing.

The fear is that whatever happens next for Yoon, the polarization that defines South Korean politics is here to stay.