South Korea faces an unprecedented institutional crisis as suspended former president Yoon Suk Yeol faces a political juicing and arrest order for charges of insurrection and abuse of power. From his fortified residence in Seoul, you will remain protected by his presidential security crew and hundreds of sympathizers as political and social tensions rise across the country.
Last December, Yoon briefly declared the march law, which sparked a wave of public outrage and marked the beginning of his political cause. The Asamblea Nacional voted in favor of his removal after members of his own governing party also abandoned him. Now, the Constitutional Tribunal of South Korea has the task of deciding whether to confirm this dismissal or reinstate him.
“Lucharé hasta el final,” Yoon said through a message broadcast by his abogado, insisting that ley marzol's statement was legitimate and that attempts to arrest him are “illegal and invalid.”
Citing security concerns, Yoon indicated that he does not plan to attend the first formal hearing of his political juice, scheduled for this Tuesday. This decision has sparked criticism both from his political opponents and from the investigators trying to carry out the arrest order on their behalf.
The conflict around his fortified residence
Since he has been suspended from his presidential powers, Yoon has taken refuge in his residence in Seoul, where his presidential security (PSS) crew has reinforced its means of protection with alambres de puas, vehicles blocking entrances and a “wall human” training for security members and sympathizers.
The most recent attempt to arrest him came earlier this year, when anti-corruption investigators attempted to infiltrate his residence, resulting in a several-hour standoff between security forces and enforcement officers. The operation was canceled due to concerns for the safety of the victims, but the arrest order is still in force, and a new attempt is expected in the coming days.
“It is practically impossible to carry out a judicial order in Yoon's residence while the security team continues to protect him,” reported the Oficina de Investigación de Corrupción para Funcionarios de Alto Rango (CIO).
The IOC solicited the cooperation of the Ministry of Defense and the presidential security team to ensure that soldiers missing from the residence do not hinder efforts to arrest Yoon. Furthermore, I advise you that any interference could result in criminal sanctions.
The charges against Yoon and the ongoing investigation
You have faced multiple criminal investigations, including one for insurrection, a serious crime that could have resulted in perpetual prosecution or even the death penalty in South Korea. Even though he has suspended his duties, Yoon retains presidential immunity before the majority of charges, except those linked to tradition or insurrection.
In addition to the charges against Yoon, the investigation also extended to key figures involved in the declaration of the March Law, including military commanders and the defense minister. However, Yoon denied cooperating with the subpoenas issued by the fiscals, escalating the conflict between the authorities and his defense outfit.
The crucial paper of the Constitutional Tribunal
Yoon's political future now depends on the Constitutional Tribunal, which must decide whether to confirm the dismissal vote carried out by the Asamblea Nacional or reinstate the ex-president in his position. The court has scheduled five sessions of oral hearings that will extend until February 4. If Yoon does not meet with the first audience, scheduled for this Tuesday, the trial will continue without his presence.
The court has up to 180 days to issue a bankruptcy, but has promised to prioritize the case due to its relevance to the country's political stability. However, the process encounters an additional obstacle: currently, the court of new members counts only ocho jueces debido a vacantes no llenadas, which could complicate the decision-making process. According to the South Korean Constitution, at least six judges must apply for destitution for it to be valid.
If the court confirms the political gist, Yoon will become president with the shortest term in South Korea's democratic history, and the country will have to hold presidential elections in 60 days.
Protests and divisions in Korean society
Yoon's case has polarized South Korean society, with protesters both in favor and against the ex-president returning to the streets despite the low winter temperatures. His supporters, in his conservative mayor, have formed a search around his residence, while his detractors demand his immediate arrest and responsibility for the abuses of power committed during his mandate.
Tensions have also intensified in the political sphere. Yoon's dismissal followed the departure of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was also removed from office by Parliament. Currently, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is acting as domestic president while the country awaits the Constitutional Tribunal's resolution.
An uncertain future for Yoon and the stability of South Korea
The political crisis in South Korea has come to light not only for the future of Yoon Suk Yeol, but also for the institutional stability of the country. While the ouster process and criminal investigations advance, the dissolution remains entangled, with multiple legal, political and social factors at play.
Yoon's case is the complexity of playing with leaders in office accused of serious crimes and poses eases the tensions inherent in a democratic system that seeks to balance justice with political stability. As the Constitutional Tribunal prepares to rule, South Korea faces the possibility of a significant shift in its politics and a new chapter in its democratic history.
