SEOUL, South Korea — Following the formal arrest of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol early Sunday, turmoil erupted among his supporters who protested vehemently against the legal proceedings. His legal team reported that he remains steadfast in his decision not to cooperate with the investigation concerning his martial law declaration from last month.
Yoon was arrested after being detained at his presidential residence just days prior. He is now facing potential imprisonment due to his controversial attempt to enforce martial law, which has ignited the nation’s most severe political upheaval since it transitioned to democracy in the late 1980s. This arrest may signal the start of a prolonged period of detention that could last for months.
The arrest triggered chaos at the Seoul Western District Court, where a crowd of Yoon’s supporters breached the court premises, creating destruction by smashing doors and windows. Some individuals resorted to throwing objects, using fire extinguishers, and vandalizing furniture, demanding access to the judge responsible for issuing the arrest warrant, who had already departed the scene.
In response to the riot, law enforcement deployed hundreds of officers and arrested almost 90 individuals from the protesting crowd. Several police officers sustained injuries and were treated on-site by ambulance units. The court is currently assessing the situation, including potential injuries among its staff and the extent of the damages sustained during the unrest.
In a statement through his legal representatives, Yoon expressed disappointment that the court failed to acknowledge the legitimacy of his martial law decree. He urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, while calling on law enforcement to be lenient towards the demonstrators.
According to the court’s reasoning for approving Yoon’s arrest warrant, he poses a risk of tampering with evidence. On Saturday, Yoon and his lawyers presented their case before the court, seeking his release. The authorities conducting the investigation, namely the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, can now detain Yoon for up to 20 days as they prepare to pass the case to prosecutors.
Investigators are exploring whether Yoon’s martial law decree issued on December 3 could be classified as an attempted rebellion. While South Korean presidents typically enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office, such protections do not extend to cases involving rebellion or treason allegations.
Yoon’s legal team may choose to challenge the court’s decision regarding the arrest warrant. One of his legal advisors mentioned that Yoon will not participate in scheduled questioning by the anti-corruption agency, opting instead to remain in detention.
The arrest of Yoon prompted disturbances in the streets, where thousands of supportive protestors gathered, demanding his release. Prior to the court’s ruling, tensions escalated as demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in damage to vehicles carrying investigators.
Several top officials, including Yoon’s defense minister and police chief, have already faced arrest and indictment for their involvement in enforcing martial law measures. The political crisis escalated when Yoon attempted to circumvent legislative obstruction by sending military forces to block the National Assembly and election offices. This attempt, however, was short-lived as lawmakers successfully voted to retract the measure almost immediately.
Yoon’s future as president now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which is currently debating whether to formally dismiss him from his position or reinstate him. Yoon’s lawyer criticized the arrest as a clear breach of constitutional law and warned that it could incite further unrest among his supporters.
The ruling People Power Party expressed sorrow over Yoon’s arrest while urging supporters to avoid further violent actions. Conversely, the opposition Democratic Party, which was pivotal in the impeachment proceedings, hailed the arrest as a crucial step in restoring proper constitutional governance, also advocating for strict penalties against those involved in the riots.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, acting as the leader in Yoon’s absence, voiced strong disapproval of the unrest, emphasizing that it undermines democracy and the rule of law. He has called for increased security measures in locations pertinent to Yoon’s legal matters and during any related protests.
Yoon and his legal counsel maintain that the martial law declaration was intended as a temporary measure aimed at addressing legislative blockades imposed by the opposition, whom he accuses of impeding his agenda. He insists that the military presence at election offices was to investigate unverified allegations of election malpractice.
Despite his claims, military leaders have portrayed Yoon’s actions as a deliberate coup attempt thwarted by civilians and staffers who aided in permitting lawmakers to access the assembly. If prosecutors proceed with indictments on charges of rebellion and power abuse, Yoon could be held for up to six months prior to trial.
Should the court convict him and impose a prison sentence, he will face the repercussions from that ruling as it possibly escalates through the appellate court system. Under South Korean law, orchestrating a rebellion carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
