Special Forces deployed as standoff with impeached South Korean president escalates

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.

Anti-corruption and police officials have gathered outside of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Seoul residence, where he has barricaded himself for the fifth day. 

A new arrest warrant was issued by the Seoul Western District Court on Tuesday against Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection.

Yoon has barricaded himself inside his official residence in Seoul. 

Member of the opposition democratic party and former senior police officer, Ryu Sam-Young, said, via Reuters, that about 3000 to 4000 personnel will be needed on the scene. 

"Since the doors are blocked, and the barricades along with the barbed wire has been set up, it is now necessary to mobilise special forces of the police, and people with special skills to breach the obstacles. In order to safely control any situation that can happen, if there are around 300 to 400 people inside, we would need about 10 times that number of personnel, and various equipment to remove the barricades,” said Ryu.

These events come after Yoon’s controversial martial law decree on 3 December, which plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades. The decree was swiftly overturned, and Yoon was impeached by lawmakers shortly after.

This new warrant follows a failed attempt to detain Yoon failed last week in a six-hour standoff with hundreds of armed security guards. 

Yoon’s legal team is pushing back, claiming the arrest warrant is invalid, as the issuing court lacks jurisdiction. They’ve also accused the anti-corruption agency leading the investigation of overstepping its authority.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Yoon’s supporters have rallied outside his residence, braving freezing temperatures to defend the impeached leader. Many waved American flags and ribbons brandishing the Trump-style slogan ‘Make Korea Great Again.’ 

“The president Yoon has been elected by our country, by the people of this nation, justfully and rightfully, and he deserves all the protection and support, he deserves all the support and protection until he is proven guilty,” said one Yoon supporter.

Protests from Yoon’s critics are also growing, with detractors demanding for his immediate arrest.

“People have been waiting for a long time. In this cold weather, my fingers are almost frozen and I'm shivering, and I think my fingers are going to break. People are very angry. So, either it’s CIO taking Yoon from his residence by deploying a helicopter immediately or Yoon walking out himself, please pick one and make a good decision, president Yoon,” said one anti-Yoon protester

Acting President Choi Sang-mok has urged authorities to avoid clashes, but tensions remain high as South Korea’s Constitutional Court prepares for Yoon’s impeachment trial, set to begin next week. If charged with insurrection, Yoon could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

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