Supporters Of President Yoon Adopt Slogan "Stop Theft", Hope Donald Trump Helps

JAKARTA - South Korean President supporters impeached by Yoon Suk-yeol adopted the slogan "Stop Theft" popularized by Donald Trump supporters, hoping the United States President-elected helps Yoon.

Supporters Yoon gathered outside his residence on Friday to prevent an attempt to arrest him. Some people carried banners in English that read "Stop Theft", a slogan Trump supporters used to question the results of the 2020 US Presidential election, in which Republican politicians lost.

"He can really help President Yoon," said University professor Lee Ho-chung, adding an audience for his English poster "Stop Theft" was American and Korean.

Meanwhile, Pyeong In-su (71) held the flag of the United States and South Korea with the words "Come on forward together" in English and Korean, saying he relied on Trump's return to save Yoon.

"I hope Trump will soon hold office and voice his rejection of fraudulent elections in our country and around the world in order to help President Yoon return (to power) quickly," Pyeong said.

Meanwhile, Seo Hye-kyoung who held the "Stop Theft" sign with the Chinese flag claimed "the Chinese have come to our country and stolen our voices".

Earlier, hundreds of pro-Yoon protesters surrounded the presidential complex, some spent the night outside in temperatures below zero, hoping to prevent arrest attempts.

"Unauthorized impeachment," shouted protesters with several people carrying American flags often found in protests by conservatives in the country.

President Yoon avoided arrests on Friday after presidential and army guard forces blocked efforts to carry out warrants in an investigation into a criminal uprising related to the president's announcement of martial law on December 3.

Trump, who will serve for his second term on January 2, has yet to comment on Yoon's situation and there is no clear connection between his campaign and Yoon's supporters.

Yoon's defense of his actions also bears similarities with Trump's political rhetoric, with him citing possible deviations in voting and defending the country from enemies inside and outside.

Although Yoon did not mention election issues in his initial military emergency declaration, he sent hundreds of troops to storm the National General Elections Commission (NEC) and later accused North Korea of hacking the NEC, but did not cite any evidence.

He said the attack was detected by the National Intelligence Service, but the commission, an independent agency, refused to cooperate fully in its investigation and system checks.

The hack raised doubts over the integrity of parliamentary elections in April 2024 - which his party lost badly - and led him to declare martial law, he said.