Hannam-dong in Seoul Divided on Both Sides
Tension is rising in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, as the joint investigation headquarters (Joint Headquarters) of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the police prepare to execute the second arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol.
On the 10th, near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, supporters of President Yoon Seok-yeol waved the Taegeukgi and the Stars and Stripes at passing vehicles. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
On the morning of the 13th, about 200 supporters opposing President Yoon’s impeachment gathered in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Despite the bitter cold of minus 5 degrees Celsius, they sang slogans such as "Yoon Seok-yeol impeachment invalid" and "Protect the President" in chorus to the rhythm of songs.
Voices encouraging participants with phrases like "We will win" were heard throughout the rally site. A man who took the stage said with conviction, "We do not need the People Power Party. We can win with our own strength," to which the participants responded, "That's right." Those who prepared hot soup and snacks vigorously waved their hands at passing rally participants, shouting, "Thank you for your hard work."
The rally sometimes showed signs of overheating with profanities flying around. When a man on the stage shouted, "Are those from the Democratic Party patriots? Aren’t we the patriots?" vulgar words such as "You wicked XX" and "We won’t leave you alone" erupted among the participants. Supporters who appeared to have stayed up all night lay on the asphalt floor with blankets and tents, shivering in the cold but chanting slogans in rhythm when anti-impeachment songs played.
About 500 meters away from here, near Hannam Elementary School in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, voices shouting "Resign, leader of the rebellion" broke out. Participants in the pro-impeachment rally gathered there waved light sticks in rhythm to altered lyrics of K-POP songs such as "Because I absolutely hate impeachment," intensifying the atmosphere. Im Mo (43), who participated in the pro-impeachment rally that day, said, "The arrest is already almost certain, but the act of resisting looks pathetic," and added, "He should come out now, bow to the people, and undergo a fair investigation."
Meanwhile, the Joint Headquarters plans to execute the second arrest warrant for President Yoon as early as this week. The police have applied for an arrest warrant for Kim Seong-hoon, deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, who is acting chief after the resignation of former chief Park Jong-jun, citing his failure to appear after three summonses. They also issued a third summons to Lee Kwang-woo, head of the Security Headquarters, to appear by 10 a.m. on the 13th. If Lee does not appear again, the police plan to consider applying for an arrest warrant, citing concerns over flight risk. This is interpreted as an effort to secure the custody of key figures in the Security Service to facilitate the execution of the second arrest warrant for President Yoon. It is also reported that they are considering arresting Security Service employees who obstruct the execution of the second arrest warrant under current law.
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