State crisis: South Korea: Yoon’s supporters want to prevent arrest

Following the order to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea, many of his supporters blocked access to his official residence. Police violently broke up a blockade of about 30 supporters, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. They had previously broken through a barrier near the president’s seat.

According to Yonhap, Yoon spoke in a message to his followers on New Year’s Day that internal and external forces were violating South Korea’s sovereignty and that the East Asian country was in danger. “I will fight with you to the end to protect the country,” he said. On Thursday, numerous people demonstrated in front of the official residence, as was seen on South Korean television.

The background is investigations against Yoon after he briefly declared martial law almost a month ago in a budget dispute with the opposition. Parliament later voted for impeachment. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing this decision.

Because Yoon missed three summonses from the Corruption Investigation Bureau, a court granted a request for his arrest on Tuesday. The prosecution’s accusation includes, among other things, sedition and abuse of power. Yoon’s defense attorneys filed for an injunction against the order, calling it “illegal,” according to Yonhap.

Yoon is the first South Korean president to face arrest during one term. The order would expire on Monday, according to Yonhap. After an arrest, investigators would have 48 hours to question Yoon and decide whether to apply for an arrest warrant or release the 64-year-old.

South Korea is now in a serious state crisis. The current Finance Minister and Vice Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok is temporarily in charge of state affairs.