Yeon Suk-yeol's arrest inflames divisions in South Korea

Tears, terrified screams and shocked faces: this is the reaction among supporters of suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol outside his home when they heard that he had been arrested.

It was a A moment that had been weeks in the making – Since the last attempt to arrest Yoon failed on January 3 after A Dramatic confrontation.

However, when news of his arrest came Wednesday morning, it appeared to create more uncertainty — and highlight division in a country that was already deeply polarized by Yoon's short-lived martial law and his impeachment by Parliament.

“This country is in crisis,” said a woman who supported Leon, with tears streaming down her face. “I have been praying since last night that South Korea will have stability and peace.”

This is what both sides say they want, but they cannot agree on how to get there.

For the past month, the 64-year-old Yoon has been holed up inside his presidential compound in central Seoul, while his supporters and critics rallied outside. They have turned Yongsan in central Seoul into a center of protests, with tensions often running high.

Hundreds of them camped out on Tuesday night, as arrest appeared imminent, in temperatures that dropped to -8 degrees Celsius. The only thing they shared was food trucks that kept them warm with hot drinks and instant noodles.

Yun's supporters clashed with police officers – numbering 3,000 – who gathered to arrest him. “Don't call us stupid far-rights,” one protester shouted, reflecting the frustration in Yoon's camp.

A completely different scene appeared on the other side of the street. Yoon's opponents, who have long called for his arrest, celebrated with cheers and chants.

Their jubilation increased the anger of the pro-Leon camp, as some shouted: “Don't make fun of us, this is not funny.”

The bay is not limited to this corner of Yongsan. It loomed over the entire country for more than a month.

Yoon's sudden declaration of martial law on December 3 almost immediately divided public opinion into two camps.

While some believed his claims that the country was under threat, a larger group viewed the move as an opportunistic abuse of power. This sentiment was reflected even within Yoon's own party, where many lawmakers voted to impeach him.

Growing opposition to Yoon's actions cast a pall over the nation.

The year-end season in South Korea is usually vibrant. But this year was noticeably different. Political unrest – along with Jeju plane crash On December 29 – Create a calm and gloomy atmosphere.

Yoon himself has largely avoided the public since he was impeached by Parliament in mid-December.

He never left his residence to meet his supporters. On New Year's Day, he sent them a message saying he was “monitoring them closely via live broadcast on YouTube.” He missed the first session of his impeachment trial on January 14, delaying the proceedings.

Prior to this, he had refused to comply with multiple subpoenas as part of the criminal investigation on sedition charges, which resulted in the arrest warrant being issued.

On Wednesday, he issued a video statement in which he said he would cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Bureau (CIO) to avoid “bloodshed”, while claiming that the arrest warrant issued against them was not legally valid.

It was a large-scale operation, and followed a warning from the CIO that the presidential security team might also be arrested if they tried to prevent Yoon's further arrest. Unlike last time, the CIO and the police succeeded in arresting Yoon, although the negotiation took hours.

As soon as he left the presidential complex, the streets surrounding him began to empty. The demonstrators dispersed and police barriers were removed.

Some of Yoon's supporters moved to the CIO's office where he was being questioned. They need another warrant to detain him for more than 48 hours.

Although Yoon's arrest ended the security crisis, it did not end the rift that existed behind it in South Korea, which has emerged in recent decades as a leading global economy and a beacon of democracy in Asia.

“Arresting the country's leader has no meaning,” declared one protester outside the presidential complex.

A dissenting voice responded, saying: “Executing the arrest warrant is a necessary step – Yoon has tried to undermine democracy in the country.”

Yoon himself continues to question whether the CIO has the right to arrest him – but his lawyers say no, because mutiny is not a corruption charge. But the CIO says insurrection is a form of abuse of power, a charge that falls within their jurisdiction to investigate.

What might seem like a legal debate has veered deep into political territory, with both sides seeking to control the narrative.

The quick dismissal of Yoon's immediate successor – Prime Minister Han Dak-soo – has already given rise to allegations that the dismissal is being used as a political tool against Yoon's allies. Yoon's impeachment trial, underway this week, has created more uncertainty.

Public attention will be focused on what statements Yoon makes, if any, during his detention or trial.

The fear is that what comes next for Yoon is that the polarization that has come to define South Korean politics is here to stay.