Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has refused to leave his official residence for a third straight day, defying an arrest warrant issued in connection with his failed attempt to impose martial law.
According to AFP, the unfolding crisis has sparked widespread protests and sharply divided public opinion, further destabilizing the nation’s political landscape following Yoon’s impeachment on December 3.
Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection, issued a defiant statement on Wednesday, rallying his supporters against what he termed as existential threats to South Korea. “The Republic of Korea is under siege by internal and external forces undermining its sovereignty,” he said in a message circulated among protesters, which his lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, confirmed. “I will fight alongside the people to the very end to protect this nation.”
His statement comes in the wake of his impeachment by parliament and removal from office after his controversial martial law order, aimed at suppressing alleged “anti-state elements,” was swiftly overturned. The order, which saw armed troops storm the National Assembly, was rescinded within hours amid fierce backlash from lawmakers and the public.
Despite being under a search warrant, Yoon remains ensconced in his presidential compound, where loyal security personnel have thwarted multiple attempts by police to enforce the warrant. The impasse has escalated tensions, with hundreds of protesters—both supporters and detractors—gathering outside the residence in a volatile standoff.
Oh Dong-woon, Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office, cautioned against obstructing law enforcement, warning of possible prosecutions. “The law must take its course, and no one is above it,” he stated.
The standoff has drawn accusations of incitement and overreach. Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae denounced Yoon’s rhetoric as “delusional,” alleging it was intended to provoke violent confrontations. Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team has filed an injunction to nullify the arrest warrant, describing it as “unlawful and invalid.”
Further complicating the situation, the Presidential Security Service has cited legal provisions that prohibit seizures from locations containing official secrets without the occupant’s consent, making it more difficult for authorities to act decisively.
Acting President and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who assumed leadership after Yoon’s impeachment, has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis. His decision to appoint two new judges to the constitutional court—an apparent attempt to mollify opposition demands—has been slammed by Yoon’s allies as overstepping his authority.
The constitutional court is now tasked with deciding whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, a ruling that will have profound implications for South Korea’s political trajectory. Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters remain resolute, staging large rallies in Seoul to denounce the impeachment process and accuse opposition lawmakers of political persecution.
With the arrest warrant set to expire on January 6, South Korea braces for the next chapter in this unfolding political drama. Acting President Choi has pledged to restore order but faces significant challenges as the nation grapples with its deepening crisis.
