South Korea’s political turmoil intensified over the weekend as the Presidential Security Service (PSS) chief, Park Chong-jun, resigned amid ongoing efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. With the arrest warrant for Yoon set to expire at midnight Monday (1500 GMT), Park’s departure has added another layer of uncertainty to a crisis that has polarized the nation. Park stepped down on Friday as he faced questions over his role in obstructing investigators from detaining Yoon during a six-hour standoff earlier in the week.
The resignation also comes as investigators prepare for another attempt to arrest Yoon, whose December 3 declaration of martial law triggered political upheaval and led to his impeachment. Demonstrations continue near Yoon’s central Seoul residence, with rival groups either demanding his immediate arrest or calling for the impeachment to be overturned. Security forces have fortified the area with barbed wire and barricades, reflecting the high-stakes tensions surrounding the case.
Yoon’s legal team has challenged the arrest warrant, claiming it is unconstitutional and beyond the scope of the anti-corruption agency leading the investigation. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is reviewing whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment or reinstate him, a decision expected to take up to 180 days. This legal and political uncertainty has left the country in a precarious state, with public opinion deeply divided.
Park’s resignation and the PSS’s refusal to cooperate with investigators highlight the challenges of enforcing accountability within South Korea’s political system. Critics argue that the actions of Yoon’s security forces undermine the rule of law, while supporters contend that the investigation is politically motivated. The failed arrest attempt last week exposed the delicate balance between maintaining security and upholding legal processes, as any physical clashes could further damage public trust in democratic institutions.
The crisis not only threatens South Korea’s domestic stability but also its international reputation as a stable democracy and U.S. ally. A peaceful and transparent resolution is critical to preserving the country’s political integrity. How South Korea navigates this period will shape its democratic future and serve as a litmus test for its commitment to the rule of law and institutional accountability.
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