In South Korea, ousted President Yoon resists

In Seoul

« Stop the steal !» Stop the theft (of the election, Editor's note). On the icy tarmac, the crowd brandished signs with slogans inspired by those of Donald Trump, in support of their fallen champion Yoon Suk Yeol. A scent of January 6, 2021 facing the US Capitol hangs over Seoul this Friday. But this time, it was the police who stormed the presidential residence where the deposed president of South Korea was barricaded. “ Yoon Suk Yeol President! » proclaim thousands of South Koreans in parkas who came to act as human shields for their populist champion, this January 3, around the villa fortress clinging to a hill in the Hannam district, in the heart of the sprawling capital.

This morning, around thirty investigators in black parkas, supported by 120 police officers, have just attacked his residence, armed with an arrest warrant against the deposed leader, accused of “high treason”. A first in the history of the turbulent democracy of Northeast Asia against a president whose powers were suspended following the lightning promulgation of martial law on December 3.

«Squid Game»

A new thrilling episode of the political “Squid Game” (named after this Korean television series) which has paralyzed Asia's fourth largest economy for several weeks, causing the Korean currency to plunge to its lowest level in fifteen years. The populist bulldozer is determined to “ beat to the end » he swears, playing his cards right. After ignoring three summons from the courts in recent weeks, the stubborn leader refuses to open the door to investigators. Despite scuffles, the “task force” managed to approach 200 meters from the house, but the presidential security service intervened. Yoon's praetorians, supported by soldiers, form a human wall around the residence, contesting the legitimacy of the visitors' mandate. A tense face-to-face for several hours, scrutinized by television cameras hidden in the neighboring hills. The country of 51 million inhabitants holds its breath. Many are exasperated by this bad soap opera.

We came to protect Chairman Yoon. He wanted to expose massive electoral fraud, and now the opposition wants to illegally stop him.

Kim Sunghee, partisan de Yoon Suk Yeol

At the bottom of the hill, the crowd roared. “ We came to protect Chairman Yoon. He wanted to expose massive electoral fraud, and now the opposition wants to illegally stop him » explains to Figaro Kim Sunghee, 50, brandishing South Korean and American flags. A powerful argument relayed by ultra-conservative Youtube channels to justify Yoon's failed coup, who launched the special forces to attack the National Assembly and the electoral commission in the heart of Seoul during that fateful night, astonishing the country.

The leader, cornered, without a majority, since his narrow election in 2022, had never suffered his clear defeat in the legislative elections last April, condemning him to be a lame duck until the end of his mandate in 2027. The former prosecutor attempted to turn the tables, with the help of the army, promulgating martial law for the first time in forty years, reviving the ghosts of dictatorship. An Emmanuel Macron who would have dared to cross the red line of article 16 of the Constitution to muzzle the opposition, in short. A coup d'état stopped in the extremes by a vote of parliament in the dead of night. And which plunged the “land of the morning calm” into its most serious political crisis in decades. This failed bet triggered his dismissal, following a new vote by more than two-thirds of the National Assembly on December 14, in tune with exasperated opinion, where Yoon only received 11% of favorable opinions.

Investigators obstructed in their work

But the 63-year-old leader has not said his last word, and is tackling his impeachment trial with pugnacity before the Constitutional Court which must decide his fate within 180 days. The former magistrate disguises himself as the victim of a “ parliamentary dictatorship », haranguing his base, waving the threat “ Communist » of China and North Korea. After a tense face-to-face meeting lasting several hours this Friday, investigators from the center for investigating the corruption of senior executives (CIO) turned back, powerless. “ We concluded that the execution of the arrest warrant is practically impossible, due to fear for the safety of the personnel on site due to the resistance » explains the IOC, denouncing the “ regrettable behavior of the suspect “. Investigators are seeking to cope with the armed presidential security services, determined to protect the leader by force. At the risk of a bloodbath at the summit, further denting the tarnished international reputation of the “Korean Tiger”. They have until Monday to act, before the arrest warrant expires. But they will be able to request a new one.

Political maneuvers

Behind this showdown in broad daylight, a tactical race against time is playing out behind the scenes between the right and the progressive opposition of Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. At stake is the timetable for the next presidential election, expected by the summer, if Yoon's dismissal is finally confirmed by the “Sages”. The conservative People's Power Party is trying to slow down the procedure at all costs, hoping that their sulphurous opponent will in turn fall before the judges. Madré Lee has several problems, including prison sentences for the time being suspended, but which will be re-examined by the courts in March. His conviction would bar him from another run for the presidency, reopening the political game.

We have concluded that the execution of the arrest warrant is practically impossible, due to fear for the safety of the personnel on site due to the resistance.

The Anti-Corruption Investigation Office (CIO)

These shopkeepers' ulterior motives are plunging Asia's fourth-largest economy a little more each day into uncertainty, under the scrutiny of Pyongyang, Beijing, Washington and Tokyo, while Trump returns to the White House. The American ally was taken by surprise by Yoon's outburst, and is struggling to hide his concern. American Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Seoul at the start of the week to reaffirm his support in the face of the North Korean threat, but he also politely reminded the young democracy of its obligations, while 28,500 American soldiers are stationed on its ground. The “K-drama” triggered by Yoon is likely to last a long season, and the next episode could still hold a few surprises.