SEOUL: In a dramatic turn of events outside the presidential compound on Thursday (Jan 2), rival camps of South Korean protesters collided in chaotic scenes as the nation remains divided over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The president, who was impeached last month by lawmakers due to his controversial martial law declaration, now faces a warrant for arrest as investigations continue into allegations of insurrection.

Supporters of Yoon, including far-right personalities and evangelical leaders, gathered in large numbers outside his residence in Seoul, determined to protect him from what they perceive as an unjust arrest.

They shout slogans like "Impeachment invalid" and wave South Korean flags lit by red lightsticks, expressing their fierce loyalty to the impeached president.

Amidst the turmoil, one emotional protester, Park Shi-dong, 74, declared, "I will fight to the death to save liberal democracy," highlighting the extreme sentiments dividing the nation.

In a dramatic moment, a woman lay down in front of a police bus while others took to the streets, clasping their arms defiantly as police attempted to disperse the crowd.

Yoon himself has been actively communicating with his supporters via YouTube, urging them to "defend democracy" and promising to "fight to the end."

This engagement has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and experts who argue that it could incite further violence and is an attempt to leverage his most hardline backers against dissenting voices.

Law enforcement remains on high alert amid concerns of escalating tensions.

While Yoon’s supporters claim they aim to stop an unprecedented event in South Korean history—the arrest of a sitting president—police have reported clashes with anti-Yoon protesters nearby.

The opposing camp, which also numbered in the hundreds, sang the national anthem and alleged they faced physical assaults from pro-Yoon protesters when attempting to hold their own press conference.

Amidst the chaos, local reports indicate that police arrested at least one pro-Yoon demonstrator for obstruction.

Yoon's legal team contests the legality of the arrest warrant, asserting that the investigation is politically motivated.

Significantly, the president has ignored multiple summons to testify, prompting the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) to move forward with their detention efforts.

As the situation unfolds, tensions in South Korea remain at an all-time high, with public reactions split sharply among those rallying for Yoon's safety and those vehemently calling for accountability in the nation's highest office.

Will the polarized nation reach a breaking point, or is this a turning moment in Korean politics? Stay tuned as this gripping saga continues to develop.