Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor turned president of South Korea, has often defied expectations. Known for his sharp frankness and conservative approach, he has polarized a society already marked by deep divisions. Today, his controversial mandate and his dramatic attempt at arrest reflect both internal political tensions and his extraordinary personality.
A Meteoric Rise
Before entering politics, Yoon Suk Yeol was an iconic figure in South Korean justice. As attorney general, he built a reputation as a white knight by prosecuting major political figures, regardless of their affiliation. These investigations, which thrust him into the spotlight, also earned him a long list of enemies.
His leap into politics in 2021, following his dramatic resignation from the position of attorney general, took many by surprise. While he promised renewal, his campaign mainly capitalized on classic themes of South Korean conservatism: national security against the North Korean threat, free enterprise, and defense of traditional values. A formula that appealed to part of the electorate, propelling him to the presidency in 2022.
A President Against the Grain
From the start of his term, Yoon Suk Yeol has continued to divide. He stands out for his unwavering alignment with the United States, strengthening joint military exercises and taking a tougher stance against North Korea. His foreign policy, bold and even explosive, includes an attempt to warm relations with Japan, a daring move in a context marked by colonial history.
But internally, he adopts a firm stance, sometimes perceived as autocratic. He tackles economic regulation and advocates for reforms favorable to large corporations. His statements, often marked by a presidentially uncharacteristic verbal brutality, fuel controversies.
In December 2024, he crosses a red line. Faced with growing protests and internal tensions, he declares martial law, citing a "serious threat to public order". This move, interpreted as a return to the dark days of military dictatorship, sparks an outcry. Parliament revokes the measure and initiates impeachment proceedings, resulting in his removal at the end of the year.
An Arrest Attempt Worthy of a Thriller
On January 3, 2025, the crisis reaches its peak. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) dispatches its agents to Yoon Suk Yeol’s residence to arrest him. But this was without considering his presidential guard, which turns the operation into a real confrontation. For several hours, tense discussions alternate with heated verbal exchanges between law enforcement and guards loyal to the ousted president.
The charges of "rebellion" against Yoon add a layer of complexity to this unprecedented political saga. On social media, memes abound: some mock the situation, others depict Yoon fighting to the end for his beliefs. In front of his residence, extremist activists and evangelicals sing hymns, claiming he is the victim of a political conspiracy.
A Polarization Reflecting the Country
Yoon Suk Yeol embodies the contradictions of a South Korea torn between modernity and tradition. For his supporters, he is the ultimate bulwark against a left perceived as too lenient towards Pyongyang. For his detractors, he embodies the excesses of an authoritarian right, ready to destroy institutions to fulfill its vision.
On the international stage, the portrait is equally nuanced. His strategic alliances with the United States and his rapprochement with Tokyo earn him praise in some Western diplomatic circles. But his internal missteps raise concerns about the democratic stability of the region.
A Tragic and Satirical Figure
In the collective imagination, Yoon Suk Yeol might well become a unique figure, oscillating between the tragic and the satirical. His tumultuous governance, blending asserted authoritarianism and moments worthy of political comedy, leaves an indelible mark.
His political future seems sealed, but his story resonates as a reminder of the societal tensions that stir South Korea. Symbol of an exacerbated conservatism or simply a victim of a system he himself fueled, Yoon Suk Yeol continues to make headlines. And if history still holds a few twists, it is certain that his trajectory will continue to fuel political chronicles around the world.
