Thousands of South Koreans protest as president digs heels in

South Korea in turmoil as thousands rally for and against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest and impeachment.

Thousands of South Koreans began gathering in the capital for rival demonstrations on Saturday (January 11, 2025), as investigators prepare another attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree.

Mr. Yoon resisted arrest in a standoff between his guards and investigators last week after his failed December 3 power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

Protesters both for and against Mr. Yoon were scheduled to gather in sub-zero conditions along major roads in the centre of Seoul on Saturday (January 11, 2025) — either demanding his arrest or calling for his impeachment to be declared invalid.

The country has bristled with tension for weeks after Mr. Yoon directed soldiers to storm Parliament, where they unsuccessfully tried to prevent lawmakers from voting down martial law. Since being impeached, Mr. Yoon has battened down the hatches.

“Despite our efforts, he continues to evade accountability, and both the police and the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) have really failed to act decisively,” said anti-Yoon protester and student Kim Min-ji, 25.

“It is crucial for us to raise our voices until he is removed from office,” he said.

Mr. Yoon supporter Su Yo-hahn, 71, said the sitting President’s martial law declaration which he alleged was to root out anti-state forces had “valid reasons”.