Even on Friday in Seoul, supporters and protectors who are standing up for the suspended president have been acting as a protesting force. South Korea has to decide how it will deal with a powerful man who refuses to obey the law after Yoon’s arrest failed.
The next attempt at arresting suspended South Korea President Yoon-Suk-yeol resulted in little more than a resigned resignation note. In a press statement issued on Friday, the CIO said: “We regret the behavior the suspect displayed by refusing to follow the legal procedures.” An investigation team consisting of members from the CIO and the defense ministry failed to execute an arrest warrant against Yoon previously. A Seoul court issued a warrant on Tuesday, at the request from the CIO, to bring Yoon for questioning after three unsuccessful summonses about his declaration on martial law on 3 December.
The police had withdrawn the day before because thousands of pro Yoon demonstrators gathered outside the presidential home in Seoul’s Yongsan District. They wanted to avoid an riot. According to the CIO, on Friday, soldiers stationed in the residence grounds, members of the Presidential Security Service and about a dozen cars blocked the road into the residence. When the investigators showed the arrest warrant to Park Chong-jun, he refused entry due to restrictions on secured premises. After several hours, investigators withdrew. The CIO stated that they were concerned for the safety of their staff because of the resistance.
Yoon believes that he is fighting “anti-state forces”
How do you deal someone in power that defies authorities? Yoon’s attack against the political constellation of a democratically governed country with a strong and united opposition, but a weak PPP ruling party in parliament, began with the declaration of martial laws on December 3, as mentioned above. On December 3, Yoon began his attack on the political configuration of the democratically-governed nation, which had a strong opposition but a weak PPP ruling party in parliament. This began with the declaration above of martial laws.
Yoon was immediately investigated on suspicions of insurrection or abuse of power. After a delay, he had his presidency suspended by a majority of two-thirds in the parliament. The Constitutional Court will make the final decision on his impeachment.
It appears that now that the criminal case against him is about to be heard, the ex-prosecutor Yoon wants to undermine law and order. Yoon’s refusal of cooperation with the investigation is hard to explain. His lawyers declare that the arrest warrant is illegal, and Yoon shouts at his right-wing supporters through leaflets and other publications to “fight until the end to defend this country”.
His fans believe that the opposition led by the liberal Democratic Party, which scored huge gains against Yoon’s conservative PPP, is the one who is threatening South Korea’s democratic order and democracy.
Yoon believes he’s fighting against “antistate forces”. His lawyers either believe Yoon, or are paid by Yoon. In a politically divided South Korea, a conspiracist like Yoon can rally thousands of demonstrators.
The events surrounding Yoon seem to have galvanized South Korea’s right-wing circles
South Korea’s authorities have a difficult time dealing with this wall of right-wing opposition. They want to avoid riots and clarify guilt questions with the force of the law. They also want to deal with the crisis in accordance with due process. But what happens when the leader refuses this rule of laws, inciting a group that can identify themselves with such a supposed powerfulman?
After the failed arrest, a representative of the investigation said that PSS chief Park faces obstruction of justice charges.
He said:
“We have instructed the PSS chief and deputy chief to appear in court on Saturday for obstruction of Justice.”
Who knows if the PSS chief and deputy chief will appear in court on Saturday for obstruction of justice.
In any case, the situation in the tiger state is not a cosy one. Yoon’s suspension, his embassies and, most recently, the arrest warrant appear to have inspired South Korea’s right-wing circles. They had already been demonstrating regularly in Seoul’s city center. They wave American and South Korean flags and indulge in one-sided fantasies.
Now the streets in front of the presidential residence are their main area of operation. As the Korea Times reported, right-wing demonstrators occupied several hundred meters of the four-lane road in front of the residence on Friday morning. Slogans such as “Protect Yoon Suk-yeol!” and “Cancel the impeachment” could be heard. 11,000 Yoon supporters are said to have gathered. 2,700 police officers were there to prevent riots. These are turbulent times in South Korea. And there is no telling when they will calm down again.
