Tensions rise as South Korean president threatens leader of largest opposition party - Unrest continues after Yoon declares ”emergency law”

According to a South Korean media report on the 12th of this month, an email was sent to the same address stating that "plans are being made to assassinate Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, the largest opposition party in South Korea."
It was revealed that the letter was delivered to several members of the party. The party has asked the police to strengthen security for Lee. Lee was appointed as the chairman of the National Assembly after the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol.
He is seen as the leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election if the election is held in the future. Meanwhile, threatening messages have been posted on social media, including threats to assassinate President Yoon, who was arrested and indicted on charges of treason in January this year and released on the 8th of this month.
Police have launched an investigation into the postings of these posts. South Korea has been in political turmoil since Yoon declared "emergency martial law" in December last year, and there has been much discussion on the impeachment and removal of Yoon from office.
The situation has divided the people. Emergency martial law is a type of martial law defined by the Korean Constitution. It is issued by the president in times of war or other emergency situations, when it is necessary for military purposes, or to maintain public order.
It was the first time that martial law had been declared since democratization in 1987. Yoon lifted the state of emergency after just six hours, but opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea criticized Yoon for "attempting to suspend the constitutional order."
The National Assembly submitted a motion to impeach Yoon, accusing him of violating the Constitution by "attempting a civil war with a view to seizing permanent power." Following the passage of the motion, Yoon was suspended from his duties and is currently serving as the
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok is acting as president. The declaration of emergency law has caused great political and social unrest, and the opposition party has accused Yoon of instigating civil unrest.
The Public Prosecutor's Office and the police jointly investigated the matter, and on January 15, the headquarters arrested Yoon. This was the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that a sitting president had been arrested.
Yoon was arrested in the early hours of the morning on suspicion of masterminding a civil war. The prosecution indicted him on the 26th, but the defense argued that the period during which he could be detained had passed at that point, making it illegal.
The Seoul Central District Court issued a decision in favor of the decision on the 7th of this month. Attention was focused on whether the prosecution would immediately appeal the decision, but they gave up, saying they would "respect the court's decision."
Yoon was released on the 8th. Having returned to the presidential residence 52 days after being detained, Yoon will now await his criminal trial at home.
An impeachment trial is also underway against Yoon, and the Constitutional Court will decide whether or not to remove him from office.
The impeachment trial decision of President Moon Jae-in will be made soon. If the Constitutional Court issues a verdict of impeachment and removal, a presidential election will be held within two months. If a presidential election is held, the most likely candidate is the Democratic Party of Korea.
The party has determined that there is a high possibility that a presidential election will be held and is already working on election preparations. Meanwhile, according to South Korean media, several members of the party, including the executive committee, have recently
An email was sent to the smartphone of a member of the party that hinted at a plot to assassinate Lee. The email read, "A former member of HID (a sabotage unit deployed to North Korea) Unit 707 has been carrying a Russian-made pistol."
The party's spokesman, Hwang Jeong A, said, "We received a lot of specific information, such as 'This is information we received from the military.'"
The party has requested the police to strengthen protection for Lee. Meanwhile, according to South Korean media, on X (formerly Twitter), there were tweets about Yoon, such as "Yoon Seok-yeol's arrest has been lifted? Assassinate him!"
"I'm going to take your head with a knife," and other threatening posts were confirmed. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Crime Investigation Team has launched an investigation.
As the date of the impeachment trial by the Constitutional Court approaches, rallies between supporters and opponents of impeachment have intensified, raising tensions in the country.
Meanwhile, police are on high alert as both Yoon and Lee are receiving threats.