South Korea: Possible Arrest of Ex-President Yoon Raises Political Tension
Supporters of ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol, Jan. 2, 2025. X/ @RFI
January 2, 2025 Hour: 8:19 am
Anti-corruption authorities are set to execute a detention order to interrogate him about the declaration of martial law.
On Thursday, tensions surrounding the residence of ousted President Yoon Suk-yeol escalated as hundreds of his supporters gathered outside, anticipating the possibility that authorities might attempt to execute a temporary detention order to interrogate him about the declaration of martial law.
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The South Korean Anti-Corruption Agency is believed to be ready to enforce the order issued Tuesday by a court in Seoul’s Western District after Yoon ignored three summonses to testify regarding his proclamation of a state of emergency on December 3.
However, there are concerns about potential clashes between authorities and Yoon’s supporters, who have become particularly incensed following a message the ousted president delivered the previous day.
Yoon distributed photocopies of a statement warning, as he did on December 3, that the country is under threat from pro-North Korea anti-state forces. He vowed to fight “to the end” alongside his followers.
Blocking Access
Around thirty of his supporters had to be dispersed by police after lying down on the ground to block access to the residential compound and prevent law enforcement from entering.
Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters have been camped outside his residence in the Hannam neighborhood of Seoul for days, waving South Korean and U.S. flags, holding banners accusing opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of being a North Korean spy, and delivering speeches praising U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
They are also chanting slogans like “Stop the steal!”—a phrase associated with radical pro-Trump groups involved in the January 2021 Capitol attack in Washington, claiming that the 2020 U.S. presidential election was rigged.
Similarly, Yoon’s supporters allege that the 2022 legislative elections, which expanded the liberal majority in Parliament and reduced the seats held by Yoon’s ruling party, were fraudulent.
Attempt to Overturn the Order
Yoon’s lawyers have filed a court request to nullify the detention order, arguing that only the Prosecutor’s Office has the authority to request such arrests.
They have warned that the presidential security service could arrest police officers attempting to detain the ousted president—the first in South Korea’s history to face potential detention while still in office.
If the authorities succeed in arresting Yoon, the joint team composed of the Anti-Corruption Agency, police, and the Defense Ministry will have 48 hours to interrogate him and may request an extension of the detention period if deemed necessary.
Yoon, who has been barred from leaving the country, was removed from office by Parliament on December 14 after declaring martial law. He now awaits the Constitutional Court’s decision, expected by June, on whether to reinstate him or permanently remove him from office.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
