Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest fuels divisions in South Korea

Tears, dismayed cries and shocked faces: that was the response among the many supporters of South Korea’s suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol outdoors his house on listening to that he had been arrested.

It was a second that had been within the making for weeks – ever for the reason that final try to arrest Yoon on 3 January had failed after a dramatic standoff.

But, when the information of his arrest on got here on Wednesday morning, it solely appeared to create extra uncertainty – and spotlight the divide in a rustic that has already been deeply polarised by Yoon’s short-lived martial legislation order and impeachment by parliament.

“This nation is in disaster,” mentioned one pro-Yoon girl, tears streaming down her face. “I have been praying since final night time for a secure and peaceable South Korea.”

It is what either side say they need however they can’t agree on the way to get there.

For the previous month, a defiant 64-year-old Yoon was holed up inside his presidential compound in central Seoul, as his supporters and detractors rallied outdoors. They’d turned Yongsan in central Seoul into an epicentre of protest, with tensions typically working excessive.

Lots of of them had camped out in a single day on Tuesday, because the arrest appeared imminent, in temperatures that plummeted to -8C. The one factor they shared was the meals vans preserving them heat with steaming drinks and prompt noodles.

Yoon’s supporters jostled with the law enforcement officials – numbering 3,000 – who assembled to take him into custody. “Do not name us silly far-rights,” one protester shouted, reflecting the frustration within the Yoon camp.

A starkly completely different scene unfolded on the opposite aspect of the road. Opponents of Yoon, who had lengthy referred to as for his arrest, celebrated with chants and cheers.

Their jubilation solely made the pro-Yoon camp angrier, with some yelling: “Do not taunt us – this isn’t humorous.”

The gulf will not be restricted to this nook of Yongsan. It has loomed over the entire nation for greater than a month.

Yoon’s shock announcement of martial legislation on 3 December virtually immediately divided public opinion into two camps.

Whereas some believed his claims the nation was below risk, a bigger group considered the transfer as an opportunistic abuse of energy. This sentiment was mirrored even inside Yoon’s personal social gathering, as a number of of its lawmakers voted to question him.

The rising opposition to Yoon’s actions has forged a pall over the nation.

The year-end season in South Korea is often vibrant. However this 12 months has been noticeably completely different. The political turmoil – together with the devastating Jeju Air crash on 29 December – has created a subdued and sombre ambiance.

Yoon himself had largely averted the general public since he was impeached by parliament in mid-December.

He by no means stepped out of his residence to satisfy his supporters. On New Yr’s Day, he despatched them a be aware, saying he was “intently watching [them] by way of a YouTube livestream”. He skipped the primary listening to of his impeachment trial on 14 January, delaying the proceedings.

Earlier than that he had refused to adjust to a number of summonses as a part of the legal investigation on riot prices, which led to the arrest warrant.

On Wednesday, he launched a video assertion saying he would co-operate with the Corruption Investigation Workplace (CIO) to keep away from “bloodshed”, whereas claiming their arrest warrant was not legally legitimate.

It was an enormous operation, which adopted a warning from the CIO that the presidential safety group may be arrested in the event that they tried to dam Yoon’s arrest once more. In contrast to final time, the CIO and police have been profitable in detaining Yoon, though it nonetheless took hours to barter.

As soon as he left the presidential compound, the streets surrounding it started to empty. Protesters dispersed and the police barricades have been eliminated.

A few of Yoon’s supporters moved to the CIO workplace the place he’s being questioned. They want one other warrant to detain him for greater than 48 hours.

Whereas Yoon’s arrest has concluded the safety standoff, it has not ended the rift that exists effectively past it in South Korea, which in current many years has emerged as a number one world financial system and beacon of democracy in Asia.

“Arresting the nation’s chief doesn’t even make sense,” declared one protester outdoors the presidential compound.

An opposing voice countered: “Executing the arrest warrant is a essential step – Yoon tried to undermine the nation’s democracy.”

Yoon himself continues to query whether or not the CIO has the correct to arrest him – his legal professionals say no, as a result of riot will not be a cost of corruption. However the CIO says that the riot is a type of abuse of energy – a cost that’s inside their remit to analyze.

What could look like a authorized debate has veered deep into political territory, with either side searching for to regulate the narrative.

The swift impeachment of Yoon’s fast successor – Prime Minister Han Duck-soo – has already led to allegations that impeachment is getting used as a political instrument towards Yoon’s allies. And Yoon’s impeachment trial getting below approach this week has created extra uncertainty.

Public consideration will likely be on what statements, if any, Yoon makes whereas he’s detained or below trial.

The concern is that the no matter comes subsequent for Yoon, the polarisation that has come to outline South Korean politics is right here to remain.