Anti-Yoon demonstrators in front of a subway station in Seoul on January 2, 2025. PHILIP FONG / AFP Hundreds of demonstrators clashed on Thursday, January 2, in front of the official residence of the suspended president in Seoul, some demanding his immediate detention and others calling to protect him in the face of the threat of his arrest. Under an arrest warrant and a dismissal voted by deputies, Yoon Suk Yeol, 64, remains holed up in his residence, promising to “fight until the end” against the authorities who seek to question him about his failed attempt to impose martial law. Since his coup on December 3, Mr. Yoon has shown no regrets and his systematic refusal to submit to questions from investigators has raised fears that an attempted arrest could degenerate into violence, further aggravating the deep crisis that he is going through. the fourth largest economy in Asia. Hundreds of Yoon Suk Yeol’s loyal supporters, including radical right-wing YouTubers and evangelical Christian leaders, gathered outside his residence in Seoul, facing anti-Yoon protesters and riot police. A woman threw herself in front of a police bus, her arms outstretched over the windshield. Other supporters of the president lay down in the street, eyes closed and arms crossed, when police tried to dislodge them. “Impeachment invalid!” » shouted the demonstrators while waving South Korean flags and red light sticks. “Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon Suk Yeol, we have your back!” We protect you! », We could also hear. Dozens of people streamed footage of the protests live on YouTube. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In South Korea, demonstrators demand the arrest of their president, Yoon Suk Yeol Read later The final decision of the Constitutional Court expected On Wednesday, Mr. Yoon sent a message to his most radical supporters in front of his residence, telling them he was watching them on YouTube and urging them to help him “defend democracy” and “fight to the end.” The opposition and several experts have denounced this approach, which they see as an attempt to mobilize the most extreme demonstrators likely to degenerate into violence. But Mr Yoon’s supporters like Kim Sang-bae, 63, said they would not leave the area, determined to “stop the injustice” of arresting a sitting president – a first in the history of South Korea. A pro-Yoon protester was arrested for obstructing the police, local media reported. The arrest warrant was illegal, Mr. Yoon’s lawyers said, and his security team refused to comply with previously issued search warrants. The president himself ignored the Corruption Investigation Bureau’s summons three times, prompting investigators to issue an arrest warrant. Nearby, hundreds of protesters opposed to Mr. Yoon staged a rival rally, singing the national anthem as dozens of riot police struggled to separate the two rival camps. Mr. Yoon must await the Constitutional Court’s final decision on his dismissal, and faces prison time or even the death penalty on the insurrection charges. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In South Korea, justice is determined to try the dismissed president for his coup Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
Author : News7
Publish date : 2025-01-02 18:36:53
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.