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South Korean authorities are intensifying efforts to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as he claims his actions, including a brief imposition of martial law, were necessary to protect the nation from “anti-state forces.”
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in early December, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a late-night announcement, citing the need to overcome political deadlock and root out what he described as “anti-state forces.” This move shocked the nation, as it was widely seen as an authoritarian power grab. Within hours of the declaration, the National Assembly convened an emergency session and voted 190-0 to revoke the decree despite armed military personnel attempting to block lawmakers from accessing the chamber. The backlash was swift, with lawmakers from across the political spectrum condemning Yoon’s actions as a blatant violation of democratic norms. Just 11 days later, on December 14, the National Assembly impeached Yoon, suspending his presidential powers and triggering a constitutional court review of his fate.
What’s going on now: South Korean authorities are preparing to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into his martial law deceleration. The investigation, led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, has already resulted in the arrests of several high-ranking figures in Yoon’s administration, including his defense minister, police chief, and senior military commanders, for their involvement in the incident. Despite holding a valid detention warrant, investigators face significant resistance, with Yoon refusing to comply with summons and his government bodyguards obstructing access to his residence and office.
To make things even more complicated, the former president has also called on his supporters to resist any attempts by authorities to detain him. In messages shared online and through his legal team, Yoon urged his followers to stand firm against what he labeled as “anti-state forces.” Thousands of his backers have responded, amassing near his residence with chants demanding his impeachment be overturned.
This all comes as Yoon’s lawyers argue that the investigation and detention warrant against him are legally flawed and unconstitutional. They claim that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials lacks jurisdiction to probe allegations of rebellion, arguing that such charges should fall under military court jurisdiction due to their connection with national security. Additionally, they claim that the warrant violates laws protecting locations tied to military secrets, which cannot be searched or seized without the explicit consent of the responsible authority. The legal team has also filed motions to block the detention and related search warrants, accusing the court of overstepping its authority and bypassing constitutional safeguards.
