Yoon cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea to justify his martial law declaration. However, it soon became clear that his move was not prompted by external threats, but by his own domestic political problems.
News of Yoon’s pay raise has sparked criticism among South Koreans, some of whom say they can’t believe he’s still getting paid — let alone a bonus — while he’s suspended.
Some on social media have pointed out that Yun’s 3% salary increase is almost double the increase in the national minimum wage.
“Minimum wage increased by 1.7%, while (Yun gets) 3% for what?” reads a post on X that has received thousands of likes.
Earlier this month, Yoon’s security blocked investigators’ access to it in the presidential residence. The stalemate led to the original arrest warrant expiring at midnight on January 7, but a local court extended it.
Investigators are preparing for a new attempt to arrest Yun and have asked for help from the police.
Authorities said Monday that any attempt to arrest Yoon would avoid “any casualties or bloodshed.” They also warned that security officers and MPs could be arrested if they obstructed the arrest.
Yun’s lawyers said the appointment of police officers and investigators to arrest the president was a “betrayal of the public.” They said the arrest warrant was “illegal.”
They also demanded that arrest squad officers not wear masks to “prevent rioters from infiltrating a national secret site and impersonating police officers.”
In the capital, Seoul, thousands of people joined large-scale protests both in support of and against Yun.
While his critics want the disgraced president impeached and arrested for his attempt to impose martial law, Yun’s supporters see his short-lived martial law order as justified to protect South Korea’s democracy.
Han Dak-soo, who became acting president after Yun’s impeachment but has since been impeached by parliament itself, will also get a 3% annual salary increase to 204 million won ($138,000; £114,000).
By comparison, the US president earns $400,000 (£329,000), while UK Prime Minister Salary is about £172,000 ($209,000).
