Tensions Rise in South Korea as Impeached President Faces Arrest and Uncertainty

In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol finds himself at the center of a political storm, with his security chief voicing grave concerns over the unfolding situation. Park Chong-jun, head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), spoke out on Friday, asserting that the treatment of the impeached leader, who is facing potential arrest due to a controversial martial law bid on December 3, has been unjust. He emphasized the need to avoid any form of bloodshed amid rising tensions.

Arriving at police headquarters for questioning regarding his own role in the tumultuous standoff between PSS agents and law enforcement last week, Park condemned the current efforts to arrest a sitting president. “Yoon deserves treatment befitting our nation’s status,” he stated, while also expressing his concerns about the safety of officials involved in the investigation.

The standoff last Friday saw hundreds of PSS agents barricading the presidential compound to prevent investigators from executing an arrest warrant for Yoon, who has defied multiple summons. Although no weapons were drawn during the encounter, officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) reported that agents were armed, raising alarms about the escalating situation.

This week, investigators secured a new arrest warrant for Yoon, prompting his legal team to declare it illegal and invalid. Meanwhile, the president is embroiled in a separate trial at the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing parliament’s impeachment decision made on December 14, determining whether he will be permanently removed from office or reinstated.

As Yoon remains sheltered in his hillside residence, public sentiment appears to be shifting. Recent polls indicate a resurgence of support for his ruling People Power Party (PPP), with approval ratings climbing to 34 percent—up from 24 percent just a month ago. A Gallup Korea survey revealed that 64 percent of respondents still support Yoon’s removal, though this is a drop from 75 percent shortly after the martial law declaration.

Analysts suggest that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Yoon’s fate has galvanized his supporters while raising apprehensions among critics. Many are wary of the prospect of the liberal opposition Democratic Party leader, currently facing his own legal issues, potentially assuming the presidency.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the stakes remain high in South Korea, where the balance of power hangs in the balance amid calls for clarity and stability.