It was a stormy close to 2024 for South Korea. On December 14, the government’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was impeached over his short-lived declaration of martial law. Finally, just two weeks later, South Korean politicians voted to oust his successor, Han Duck-soo, accusing him of colluding with his father.
After the Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant for his confinement on December 31st, Yoon then faces the possibility of being arrested, which is a second for a sitting president in South Korea. Following a anxious six-hour conflict with the national safety team, an attempt by North Korean officials to apprehend Yoon at his residence was later abandoned on Friday morning.
The Corruption Investigation Office, which has been investigating Yoon’s military law charter, says it has “determined that the arrest is essentially impossible”. It stated that it would consider more activity, but it didn’t say whether it would try to detain Yoon once more. The arrest permit is effective until January 6th, 2017.
South Korea has been plunged into political conflict by the events of the past fortnight. Between Yoon-favorite officials and those attempting to remove him, deep groups have formed. And people unrest is growing, with residents split between aid for Yoon’s confinement and support for his administration.
Yoon’s followers, an estimated 1, 200 of whom had gathered outside his mansion while officers attempted to kill the arrest warrant, celebrated as the expulsion was announced. The group broke out into song and dance and chanted:” We won”!
The issue is, at the same time, damaging the country’s already delicate business. The value of South Korea’s victory has fallen to its lowest level in almost 16 times, and the property market has fallen. South Korea is then forced to navigate these impoverished circumstances while attempting to restore stability and boost the greatly deteriorated people trust in its institutions.
The failure to assault Yoon was not wholly unexpected. Yoon reacted to the court’s decision in a text to his followers after the warrant was issued. He urged them to resist and said,” I will fight until the finish to protect this country along with you.”
Yoon’s legitimate team argued that the permit was both invalid and illegal. The attempts to detain and research President Yoon were described as “dangerous acts that preempted the legal court’s prosecution trial,” according to Yoon Sang-hyun, his political ally.
Within 180 days of the filing of the case, the court may render a final decision on Yoon’s prosecution. Additionally, the judge is expediting the impeachment trial approach with the addition of magistrates Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun on January 2. This completes an eight-member chair.
The legal community expects the court to challenge its decision before April 18, when two different judges, Jeong Gye-seon and Cho Han-chang, leave. But Yoon’s legal team is demanding a” good trial”, and has insisted that the whole 180-day legal date be used for the trials. The ultimate decision may not be reached until June if this request is granted.
Yoon has made every effort to hinder the process since the National Assembly’s impeachment vote was approved. He refused to appear in court and disobeyed the Corruption Investigation Office’s request to be interrogated. This is what finally resulted in the release of an arrest warrant.
Some observers have interpreted Yoon’s actions as an attempt to stifle the research and mobilize his followers. In light of the perception that if he were detained, it would be much harder to mount a robust security.
Growing political fragmentation
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans have gathered all over the country to require Yoon’s prosecution since December 3 when military law was in effect. The younger generation has taken a major role in the movement, creating a rally society with K-pop fandom-inspired decorations like glowing light stones and dancefloor-like gatherings.
Another distinctive and distinctive characteristic of the demonstrations has been the generous donation of complimentary food and beverages by other Koreans eager to support the cause at local cafes and restaurants.
However, protests by Yoon’s followers have intensified. These presentations are being organized by more senior and traditionalists. Popular YouTubers of the far-right and evangelical Christian officials frequently appear in important roles.
Pro-Yoon activists have incorporated the American right’s” quit the steal” message into their marches, and often display US flags as part of their activity.
They refute Yoon’s say that the April 2024 general election was rigged in favor of the opposition party and that the declaration of martial law was a genuine act of government. The ruling party secured only 108 votes out of the 300 in the National Assembly, while the opposition alliance claimed 192 to keep control of congress.
The North Korean victory has fallen to its lowest level since 2009, and the foreign exchange rate has been severely affected by the ongoing political unrest. This uncertainty has also affected South Korea’s big stock market catalog, highlighting growing trader uncertainty.
The loss of the conquered is expected to raise the cost of imports further, increase inflationary stress, diminish consumer confidence and, possibly, deter foreign investment. The economy, which experienced a protracted period of slow growth for much of 2024, will only be put under more pressure because of this.
The path forward is still uncertain and full of difficulties as South Korea prepares for the 2025 summit. The country may find a balance between efforts to restore public faith and unity and the complex interactions of political instability and financial fragility.
How South Korea addresses these pressing problems in the upcoming month may affect both its political, cultural, and economic path and shape the country’s future.
Yoon Walker is a PhD participant in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, SOAS, University of London.
This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original post.