Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra

Rival protests in South Korea ahead of second attempt to arrest Yoon

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Jan 2025 08:05
3 Min Read

Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol had resisted arrest last week in a dramatic standoff between his security guards and investigators.

Listen
  • x
  • South Korea
    Protesters attend a rally against the impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near his residence in Seoul, on January 10, 2025 (AFP)

Thousands of South Koreans gathered in the capital on Saturday for opposing demonstrations as authorities prepared another attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree.

Yoon had resisted arrest last week in a dramatic standoff between his security guards and investigators, following his failed December 3 power grab that triggered South Korea's most severe political crisis in decades.

Protesters, divided into pro- and anti-Yoon factions, converged on central Seoul amid sub-zero temperatures, with one group demanding his arrest and another calling for his impeachment to be invalidated.

The nation has remained tense since Yoon ordered soldiers to storm parliament in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent lawmakers from overturning martial law. Since his impeachment, Yoon has retreated into a fortified stance.

Supporters of Yoon began rallying outside his residence early Saturday morning, ahead of a major demonstration scheduled for 1 pm (0400 GMT) in central Seoul. Separate anti-Yoon protests were planned for 2:30 pm and 4 pm.

Yoon faces criminal charges of insurrection, one of the few crimes exempt from presidential immunity, which could lead to a prison sentence or even the death penalty. If the arrest warrant is executed, he would become the first sitting South Korean president to be taken into custody.

Related News

DPRK warns of escalation after South Korean warning shots at DMZ

South Korea aims to ease tensions, DPRK labels talks 'false dream'

On Friday, Yoon's presidential security chief resigned amid questioning over the guards’ role in blocking his arrest during last week's six-hour standoff, which forced investigators to withdraw over safety concerns.

The Presidential Security Service (PSS), including military personnel, has reinforced Yoon's compound in Seoul with barbed wire and bus barricades.

Acting PSS chief Kim Seong-hun has refused to attend a third summons for questioning, potentially exposing himself to arrest. The PSS defended Kim, stating he "cannot leave his post for even a moment regarding presidential security matters."

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) vowed to "prepare thoroughly" for a second attempt to arrest Yoon and warned that anyone obstructing the process could face detention.

According to Yonhap, the National Office of Investigation has mobilized 1,000 investigators in preparation for the renewed effort.

Yoon also faces ongoing impeachment proceedings, with the Constitutional Court set to begin his trial on January 14. The trial will proceed even in his absence and will determine whether to uphold his suspension or reinstate him.

Read more: South Korean opposition’s support dips as Yoon defies arrest

  • South Korea
  • Seoul
  • Yoon Suk Yeol

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, listens to France Unbowed party parliament member Mathilde Panot during a demonstration after a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was illegally raided by the IOF, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Paris (AP)
Politics

French MPs on hunger strike after their detainment in 'Israel'

Gaza residents fear trap as Trump’s plan offers little relief
Politics

Flying promises and bombs: Gazans hopeful, yet deeply distrustful

Two years of destruction: Gaza endures war, famine, and displacement
Politics

UNRWA details Gaza's two years under war, famine, and displacement

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits a military hardware exhibition in Pyongyang, Notrh Korea Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK's Kim unveils new advanced weapons at 'Defiance Development 2025'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS