The conflict between supporters and opponents of South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol – the target of an arrest warrant for attempting to introduce martial law – is being played out both on the streets and on the internet. In an ultra-connected, hyperactive South Korea, youtubers and commanders from both camps have been clashing and resorting unscrupulously to fake news ever since the conservative leader declared martial law on December 3, 2024.

The latest powerful image playing repeatedly on YouTube is that of some 30 MPs from the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) forming a human chain in front of the presidential residence on Monday, January 6, in order to block any attempt to arrest Yoon by the High Profile Investigation Office (CIO) or the police. The CIO tried to arrest him on Friday, but had to give up after a tense face-off with the president's protection service.

The PPP initiative followed a weekend of strong demonstrations. Tens of thousands of Yoon's opponents gathered on Saturday in Gwanghwamun, not far from the Constitutional Court which is due to rule on the impeachment of the president voted by the National Assembly. Also in Gwanghwamun, pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, a major figure in the ultraconservative movement, harangued an audience of 35,000 people according to the police, 3 million according to the organizers, "to fight against anti-state forces" and "support the president's courageous decision to put an end to the opposition's corruption of the Constitution."

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