Rally For or Against the Detention of Yoon Suk Yeol: Tension, and Traffic Chaos in Seoul
 Elon Musk Responds to Supporters of Yoon Thwarting an Attempt at Arrest |
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| Protesters hold a rally in Seoul, |
Pro-Yoon Supporters Mobilize in Central Seoul
Approximately 35,000 pro-Yoon Suk Yeol supporters convened at Gwanghwamun Square at 1 p.m., expressing solidarity with the embattled president and denouncing his impeachment. Chanting slogans and waving South Korean flags, the crowd demonstrated a steadfast commitment to Yoon's leadership despite the legal turmoil surrounding him. Later in the afternoon, the group relocated to Hannam-dong in Yongsan District, where they clashed verbally with anti-Yoon protesters stationed nearby.
Supporters accused the opposition-dominated National Assembly and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) of orchestrating what they called a politically motivated attempt to oust Yoon. Many expressed frustration over what they perceive as an infringement on Yoon's executive authority.
Anti-Yoon Protesters Demand Immediate Detention
Meanwhile, just 400 meters away, the militant labor union Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) organized a rally demanding Yoon’s immediate arrest. The group criticized Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, which they labeled as an unconstitutional and authoritarian act. Participants attempted to march toward Yoon's official residence in Hannam-dong but were blocked by a heavy police presence, leading to scuffles and the detention of two protesters for allegedly assaulting officers.
The anti-Yoon rally grew overnight into Sunday, with protesters braving freezing temperatures and snow to call for stronger efforts to detain the president. Activists criticized the CIO for its perceived hesitance, accusing the agency of failing to enforce the law effectively. “The voices of angry citizens have gone unheard for too long,” said Kim Eun-jeong, a prominent activist at the rally. “The clock is ticking, and justice must be served.”
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| South Korean protesters brave cold to demand Yoon’s ouster as detention deadline looms |
Traffic Chaos and Public Inconvenience
The simultaneous rallies caused severe traffic congestion throughout central Seoul. Key roads near Gwanghwamun Square and Yongsan District were occupied by protesters, forcing commuters to seek alternative routes. Hangangjin Station, a major transportation hub near Yoon's residence, was temporarily closed, with trains bypassing the station altogether.
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| Traffic Chaos in Seoul |
Authorities deployed hundreds of police officers to manage the crowds and ensure public safety, but the sheer volume of protesters made the task daunting.
Legal Deadlock and Mounting Tensions
The rallies came just one day after a tense six-hour standoff at Yoon’s residence, where dozens of investigators and police officers attempted to execute a court-issued detention warrant. The effort was thwarted by Yoon's presidential security service, which deployed barbed wire and military personnel to block access to the compound. Critics accused the security service of overstepping its mandate, with some likening its actions to those of a private militia.
The CIO’s warrant, valid through Monday, stems from Yoon’s refusal to cooperate with an investigation into his martial law declaration and obstruction of searches of his office. While South Korea’s presidential immunity laws typically shield a sitting president from prosecution, exceptions are made for charges of rebellion or treason. Yoon’s legal team, however, argues that the warrants are invalid, citing procedural errors and the CIO’s alleged lack of authority to investigate rebellion charges.
Political Fallout and Constitutional Implications
Yoon's impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14 followed his martial law declaration, which was overturned within hours by the legislature. The impeachment has temporarily suspended Yoon’s presidential powers, leaving Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok as the acting head of state. The Constitutional Court is now deliberating on whether to uphold the impeachment, a decision that could permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.
The CIO has faced mounting pressure from opposition lawmakers and activists to act decisively before the warrant expires. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, expressed disappointment in the agency’s handling of the situation. “The anti-corruption office must not waver in its duty to uphold the rule of law,” Park stated during a press conference on Sunday.
Security Service Under Scrutiny
The presidential security service has drawn significant criticism for its role in obstructing the detention attempt. Park Jong-joon, the service’s chief, defended his organization in a video statement, asserting that its primary responsibility is to protect the sitting president. “We are operating within the bounds of the law,” Park said. “Our actions are not an act of defiance but a fulfillment of our legal obligations.”
Legal experts have noted that while the security service is mandated to protect the president, it is not authorized to interfere with court-ordered detentions. The use of military personnel to block investigators has also raised questions about the appropriate role of the armed forces in such situations.
Public Opinion Divided
The unfolding drama has left South Koreans deeply divided. While some view Yoon’s actions as necessary to counter a legislative deadlock, others see them as a dangerous overreach of executive power. “Yoon’s declaration of martial law was a betrayal of democracy,” said an anti-Yoon protester. In contrast, a pro-Yoon demonstrator argued, “The impeachment is a politically motivated coup. Yoon is fighting for the people.”
As the deadline for Yoon’s detention warrant looms, the situation remains volatile. Whether the CIO will attempt another detention effort or seek alternative legal avenues remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that the political crisis surrounding Yoon has plunged South Korea into one of its most contentious periods in recent history, with no resolution in sight.
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