Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest has fueled divisions in South Korea.

Tears, panicked screams and shocked faces: the reaction of supporters outside South Korea’s ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest.

was a The moment he had been working on for weeks On January 3, the last attempt to capture Yon failed Amazing fight.

However, when news of the arrests arrived early Wednesday morning, it appeared to raise further suspicions — and highlight divisions in a country already deeply troubled by the UN’s short-lived martial law order and parliamentary impeachment.

“This country is in crisis,” said a Yoon supporter, tears streaming down her face. I have been praying for stability and peace in South Korea since last night.

What both sides say they want, but can’t agree on how to get there.

For the past month, Yoon, 64, has been holed up in the presidential compound in central Seoul as his supporters and detractors gather outside. They have turned Yongsan, in central Seoul, into a protest center, with tensions often rising.

Hundreds camped out on Tuesday night, as the shutdown looked imminent, with temperatures dropping to -8C. The only thing they shared was that food trucks kept warm with steaming drinks and instant noodles.

Yoon’s supporters clashed with police officers – some 3,000 of them – who had gathered to take him into custody. “Don’t call us stupid far right,” chanted one protester, reflecting frustration in the Yun camp.

A very different scene unfolded across the street. Yun’s opponents, who had long called for his arrest, celebrated with chants and cheers.

Their excitement further angered the Yun camp, who said, “Don’t make fun of us – this is not funny.

The gulf is not limited to this corner of Yongsan. It hovered over the entire country for over a month.

Yoon’s shocking announcement of martial law on December 3 divided public opinion into two camps.

While some considered the claim that the country was under threat, a large group saw the incident as an opportunistic abuse of power. This sentiment was even reflected in Yoon’s own party, as several of his lawmakers voted to impeach him.

The fact that he is protesting Yoon’s actions has caused great anxiety in the country.

The end of the year in South Korea is usually active. But this year is very different. Political turmoil – from The devastating Jeju air disaster On December 29 – it created a humiliating and crowded atmosphere.

Since his impeachment by parliament in mid-December, Yonou himself has largely distanced himself from the public.

He never left his residence to meet his fans. On New Year’s Day, he sent them a note saying, “Watching them live on YouTube.” On January 14, he skipped the initial hearing of the case, delaying the proceedings.

Before that, he refused to comply with several subpoenas as part of a criminal investigation into illegal charges, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

On Wednesday, he issued a video statement saying that his arrest warrant was not legally valid and that he would cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Bureau (CIO) to “avoid bloodshed”.

There was a flurry of activity following a warning from the CIO that the presidential security team could be arrested to re-arrest Yoon. Unlike last time, the CIO and the police succeed in arresting Yoon, although it still takes hours to negotiate.

As soon as he left the presidential compound, the surrounding streets began to empty. Protesters were dispersed and police escorts were removed.

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

Yoon’s arrest ended the security crisis but did not end the rift beyond it in South Korea, which in recent decades has emerged as Asia’s leading global economic and democratic beacon.

“It makes no sense to arrest the leader of the country,” said a protester outside the presidential compound.

“Executing the arrest warrant is a necessary step – Yun has tried to undermine the country’s democracy,” countered the dissenting voice.

Yunu himself continues to question whether the CIO has the right to arrest him – the lawyers say no, because sedition is not a corruption case. But the CIO says the rebellion is an abuse of power — a charge they have the power to investigate.

What appears to be a legal debate has spilled over into political territory, with both sides seeking to control the narrative.

It has already led to the swift impeachment of Yoon’s immediate successor – Prime Minister Han Dak-soo – accused of using him as a political tool against Yoon’s allies. And the start of Yoon’s impeachment trial this week has created even more uncertainty.

What kind of statements Yun makes while in prison or on trial will be a matter of public interest.

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