Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol hold a rally against his detention in front of the headquarters of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, after Yoon was brought to the headquarters to be questioned over his martial law imposition. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Thousands of protesters took to the streets around the presidential residence in Seoul in the early morning hours of Wednesday, rallying both for and against the second attempt by investigators to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his Dec. 3 martial law imposition.
Some 3,300 far-right Yoon supporters, according to police, gathered around the presidential residence compound to stop police and investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) from detaining Yoon.
"Stop the arrest," cried supporters, while others shouted, "Take Lee Jae-myung instead!" referring to the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
A supporter of President Yoon Suk Yeol bursts into tears while watching Yoon's prerecorded address before his detention in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon
As many shouted Yoon's name, dozens of Yoon supporters laid down in the road near the residence while investigators entered the compound to execute a warrant to detain him. The protesters were dragged out by police in five minutes.
Around 6:30 a.m., a supporter in her 60s fell during the protest and received medical treatment from fire authorities.
Earlier around 5:30 a.m., over 30 lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) formed a human chain to protest Yoon's detention.
"Exercising physical force against the incumbent president, whose job is only suspended, in such an illegal manner sets back the rule of law in the Republic of Korea," PPP Rep. Na Kyung-won said, urging the CIO to "immediately hand over the investigative authority to police and stop causing any further physical clashes."
Meanwhile, those calling for Yoon's detention gathered across the street, closely following news reports. Each time they heard updates on the progress of the execution of the warrant, they erupted in cheers, expressing their support for the unfolding developments.
As the area experienced heavy traffic due to the massive rallies, Yongsan District Office sent text message alerts to inform residents, "We are currently controlling Hannam-daero in both directions due to large-scale rallies near Hangangjin Station, so please detour when passing nearby."
Protesters critical of President Yoon Suk Yeol wave banners supporting his detention in front of the presidential residence in Seoul, Wednesday. Yoon was brought to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to be questioned over his martial law imposition. Newsis
As investigators detained Yoon after an hourslong standoff at 10:33 a.m., a mix of cries and cheers erupted from the crowds.
No major clashes took place between the opposing camps and no one was taken into custody, police said.
Meanwhile, Yoon supporters headed to the CIO headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to continue their protest against Yoon's detainment.
Heavily layered with padded coats and waving Korean and American national flags, they shouted their demands — "Release the president" and "Nullify the impeachment" — near the CIO headquarters, where Yoon was brought to be questioned over his martial law imposition.
A coalition of six pro-Yoon organizations, including the New Freedom Union and Our Republican Party, reported to the police its demonstration of some 5,200 people.
A supporter of President Yoon Suk Yeol waves an American flag in front of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Later in the evening, in what is believed to be an extreme display of protest following Yoon's detention, a man in his 60s sustained serious injuries after setting himself on fire near the CIO headquarters.
The incident occurred around 8:05 p.m., according to police. Officers nearby noticed the man and quickly used fire extinguishers to douse the flames. The man was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital by firefighters, but remains in critical condition.
Authorities are working to confirm his identity and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, collecting testimonies from witnesses.