South Korea is on the brink of a dramatic political showdown this week as impeachment proceedings begin against suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, CNN reports.
The embattled leader, holed up in his fortified residence, is simultaneously evading arrest for a separate criminal investigation, plunging the nation into its deepest political crisis in decades.
The crisis was sparked by President Yoon’s short-lived declaration of martial law in December, triggering widespread public outrage and protests. For weeks, Yoon has remained barricaded in his hillside compound in Seoul, protected by his Presidential Security Service (PSS), while hundreds of his staunch conservative supporters maintain vigil outside, vowing to defend him.
President Yoon, through his legal counsel, has stated he will not attend the first impeachment hearing scheduled for Tuesday, citing safety concerns related to efforts to detain him for questioning. The former prosecutor turned politician was stripped of his presidential powers last month following his controversial martial law declaration, and now faces multiple investigations, including allegations of leading an insurrection – a crime carrying a potential life sentence or even the death penalty. Yoon maintains his actions were legitimate and deems the arrest warrant “illegal and invalid.”
Tensions escalated earlier this month when investigators attempted to detain Yoon at his residence, leading to an hours-long standoff between police and a “human wall” of soldiers and presidential security personnel. The attempt was ultimately called off citing safety concerns. In an apparent effort to thwart further attempts, barbed wire has been erected around the compound and entrances blocked by vehicles.
Yoon’s political fate now lies with the country’s Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold or reject his impeachment, and that of acting President Han Duck-soo. Oral arguments for the impeachment trial begin Tuesday, with the court having 180 days to reach a decision. Complicating matters, the court is currently operating with eight out of nine justices due to vacancies.
If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, he would become the shortest-serving president in South Korea’s democratic history, triggering new presidential elections within 60 days.
While suspended from his duties, Yoon technically retains presidential immunity from most criminal charges, except for insurrection or treason. South Korea’s police, military, and anti-corruption body have formed a joint investigation team to examine these charges against him. Yoon has refused to answer multiple summonses for questioning.
Meanwhile, corruption investigators appear determined to proceed with their efforts to arrest the suspended president. On Sunday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) requested the Defense Ministry and presidential security team’s cooperation in executing the arrest warrant against Yoon.
Much scrutiny has fallen on the PSS, which has been accused of acting as President Yoon’s personal bodyguard. The CIO stated previously that executing a warrant at Yoon’s residence is “virtually impossible” given the security detail. The CIO has now warned the security team against disrupting efforts to arrest Yoon and that any disruption could result in criminal penalties.
Adding to the complexities, a jurisdictional dispute has emerged regarding which agency should enforce the arrest warrant. Yoon’s lawyers claim the police are complicit in an “illegal arrest and abuse of power,” and that any evidence obtained through these actions would be deemed illegal.
The head of Yoon’s PSS recently resigned and is undergoing police questioning over his role in blocking Yoon’s arrest. Once the warrant is enforced, investigators will have 48 hours to question the president.
