South Korean protesters rally against Yoon’s arrest as deadline looms By Reuters

Written by Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) – Thousands of people braved heavy snow in Seoul on Sunday to rally in support and protest against the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as South Korea’s political crisis appeared headed for conflict. a strong one.

With the arrest warrant against Yoon on charges of treason expired at midnight (1500 GMT) on Monday, several groups held demonstrations near his official residence, which some are urging him to be arrested immediately and others are protesting against it.

Yoon became the country’s first sitting president to be arrested over his botched attempt to declare martial law on December 3, sparking a political upheaval that has gripped Asia’s fourth-largest economy and friend an important American.

The Conservative president was impeached by parliament and suspended while the court decided whether to reinstate or remove him. On Friday, criminal investigators were prevented from arresting him by Yoon’s presidential security service and military forces within six hours.

Some of Sunday’s protesters gathered overnight in downtown Seoul, where temperatures dropped below 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). More than 5 centimeters (2 inches) of snow accumulated in parts of the capital, which were under a severe snow warning.

“We must restore the foundation of our nation by punishing the president who rejected the constitution,” said Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the largest labor group that took part in the protest.

“We must take down the criminal Yoon Suk Yeol and catch and arrest him as soon as possible.”

Nearby, Yoon’s supporters held placards saying “We will fight for President Yoon Suk Yeol” and “Stop the Steal”, a slogan popularized by supporters of US President-elect Donald Trump after he lost the presidential election. 2016.

Similar rallies drew tens of thousands on Saturday, prompting police to try to disperse KCTU protesters on the streets and disrupt traffic. The two were arrested, accused of attacking police, Yonhap news agency reported.

On Saturday, the Corruption Investigation Bureau for Senior Officials, which is leading Yoon’s criminal investigation, also asked Acting President Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, to order the security service to agree to the arrest warrant.

A spokesman for the finance ministry declined to comment.