"South Korea in Deepening Turmoil"... Japanese Media Report Failure to Execute Arrest Warrant for Yoon Che-po Youngjang

'Conservatives' Addressed in Yomiuri Shimbun Editorial
"Continued Like This, Serious Conflict Feared"

On the 3rd, Japanese media pointed out that the confusion surrounding Korean politics and the judiciary intensified following the failed execution of an arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC).

The conservative-leaning Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun revealed on the 4th in an editorial titled "Confusion after Martial Law, Difficult-to-Understand Korean Politics and Judiciary" that the HCIC attempted to execute the arrest warrant on the 3rd but withdrew after a standoff with the security office and others. It also expressed relief that "a large-scale clash did not occur." The outlet further stated, "If each side continues to act based on their own claims, there is a risk of escalating into a serious conflict."

Japanese newspapers reporting on Korean news such as the execution of arrest warrants by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Yonhap News

The newspaper noted, "With the airplane accident that killed 179 people (Jeju Air disaster), the upcoming inauguration of the Donald Trump administration, and North Korea's movements, the international situation is also unstable," adding, "It is difficult to even gauge the negative impact that the dysfunction of Korean politics and judiciary will have on domestic affairs and diplomacy." It also posed the question, "Isn't it time for all parties involved?ruling and opposition parties and judicial officials?to regain composure and resolve differences and issues?" and expressed hope that "they will come up with wise solutions to manage the situation."

Japanese media have been covering the aftermath of the December 3 martial law incident in depth, placing it on front pages daily. On the 4th, they also reported in detail on the HCIC's execution of the arrest warrant and the Constitutional Court's preparation for the second hearing of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial.

Meanwhile, the HCIC attempted to execute the arrest warrant against President Yoon on the 3rd but failed after a standoff lasting over five hours with security and military personnel. During the standoff, The New York Times (NYT), BBC and The Guardian from the UK reported breaking news from in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The NYT also created a live page on its homepage to provide real-time updates.

After the situation ended, the American Wall Street Journal (WSJ) commented, "The impeached president thwarted the arrest attempt," but also noted, "Political turmoil has arrived at a sensitive time." The Washington Post similarly pointed out, "The political crisis in Korea is deepening amid the arrest attempt against President Yoon."