On January 2, 2025, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a letter to his supporters, declaring, "I will fight until the end to protect this country together with you," following the issuance of an arrest warrant on charges of insurrection. Yoon's statement comes as protests occur outside his residence, where investigators from The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) remain stationed.
Yoon's supporters have rallied against attempts to detain him, while presidential security services have so far prevented investigators from entering his residence. The head of the anti-corruption agency has indicated that the arrest warrant is expected to be executed by January 6 at the latest.
The opposition Democratic Party, which controls the parliament and initiated Yoon's impeachment on December 14, criticized his letter, claiming it reflects a delusional mindset and an ongoing commitment to insurrection. The party's spokesman, Jo Seoung-lae, accused Yoon of inciting his supporters to conflict.
The charges against Yoon stem from his declaration of martial law on December 3, which was swiftly overturned by parliament and supported by the courts. Insurrection is one of the few charges from which a South Korean president is not immune.
If the warrant is executed, Yoon would be the first sitting president in South Korea to face arrest. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing his impeachment, and should it uphold the decision, presidential elections would be required within 60 days. In the interim, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president, following the impeachment of the previous acting president, Han Duck-soo.