The authorities of South Korea have issued a second, more aggressive arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently guarded in a fortified compound.
Ever since failing to impose martial law on December 3, South Korea’s impeached president Yoon has been evading arrest. A failed arrest attempt was carried out last Friday, but ended in a standoff at his presidential residence.
The first warrant wasn’t carried out on account of a claim made by Yoon himself that it was issued through a court in the wrong jurisdiction. One of President Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kab-keun, argues that the warrant for the president’s arrest is illegal and invalid. The date of expiration for the new arrest warrant is unknown.
A satellite image shows the official residence of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, February 2024. Airbus via Google/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NO USE IN PRINT MEDIA.
According to the Guardian, in a letter rallying his supporters, President Yoon promised to “fight until the end” as he comes to head with charges. He currently resides in a heavily guarded compound surrounded by crowds of security agents—most of them armed.
South Koreans are divided over the topic of the former President’s arrest.
“The president Yoon has been elected by our country, by the people of this nation rightfully, and he deserves all the protection until he is proven guilty,” said Chung Woo-jae, a 25-year-old supporter of Yoon, to Reuters.
Pro-Yoon protesters take part in a rally to support impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near his official residence in Seoul, South Korea January 8, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
On the other hand, many other young protestors demand his arrest and riot outside of his residence.
The current sitting president, Choi Sang-mok, has implored authorities be civil in the carrying out of President Yoon’s arrest warrant.
