South Korea’s embattled President, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared his resolve to “fight until the end” as he confronts an unprecedented arrest warrant tied to his controversial December 3 martial law.
Impeached by parliament on the 14th of December, 2024, Yoon finds himself at the center of a political firestorm.
In a dramatic late-night letter addressed to hundreds of supporters protesting near his official residence, Yoon expressed gratitude for their solidarity.
“I am watching on YouTube live all the hard work you are doing. I will fight until the end to protect this country together with you,” he wrote, reinforcing his defiance.
The opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority and spearheaded Yoon’s impeachment, condemned the president’s statement as evidence of his “delusional” mindset.
Party spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae accused Yoon of inciting unrest, stating, “As if trying to stage an insurrection wasn’t enough, Yoon is now inciting his supporters to an extreme clash.”
A court recently approved a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, potentially making him the first sitting South Korean president to face detention during an investigation.
He is accused of orchestrating insurrection through his attempt to impose martial law. South Korea’s laws notably exclude insurrection from the list of crimes granting presidential immunity.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), heading a team of police and prosecutors, has until the 6th of January, 2025, to execute the warrant.
In the meantime, Yoon has been suspended from his duties, with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepping in as acting president.
Should the court uphold Yoon’s impeachment, he will be permanently removed from office, triggering a new presidential election within 60 days, a development that could reshape South Korea’s political landscape.