Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested in South Korea
Yoon Suk Yeol Faces Arrest as Tensions Rise in South Korea
Following the decision to issue an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of “riot” and “abuse of power”, tensions have escalated in South Korea. According to reports from Yonhap news, CIO officials attempted to implement the arrest warrant for Yoon for the second time, but were met with resistance.
Officials approaching the presidential residence were blocked by barricades set up by the Presidential Security Service. Supporters of Yoon, estimated to be around 6,500 people, gathered around the residence, while MPs from the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) protested the decision in front of the residence.
Around 3,000 police officers were deployed around the residence as the arrest warrant remains valid until January 21. Despite a fight breaking out between police and guards during a previous attempt to execute the order, the Western District Court of South Korea issued the arrest order on December 31, 2024.
In a surprising turn of events, President Yoon declared martial law on television on December 3, 2024, citing opposition involvement in anti-state activities. However, the decision was later lifted by parliament and approved by the Council of Ministers. Yoon was temporarily suspended from office pending a decision from the Constitutional Court, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as proxy.
The political turmoil continued as Prime Minister Khan faced impeachment in the National Assembly on December 27, 2024. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Choi Sang-mok assumed the presidency in Han Duck-soo’s place amidst the ongoing power struggle.
The situation in South Korea remains tense as the fate of Yoon Suk Yeol and the country’s leadership hangs in the balance. Further developments are expected as the political crisis unfolds.
