Tears, frustrated shouts and shocked looks: this was the reaction outside their homes by supporters of South Korea's suspended president Yoon Seok-yeol after learning of his arrest.

this is a a moment weeks in the making. - Since the last attempt to arrest Yin failed on January 3, dramatic confrontation.

Yet when news of his arrest broke Wednesday morning, it seemed to only create more uncertainty — and underscore divisions in a country already deeply polarized by Yin's brief martial law and parliamentary impeachment. .

“This country is in crisis,” one woman supporting Yoon said, tears streaming down her face. "I have been praying for stability and peace in South Korea since last night."

It's something both sides say they want, but they can't agree on how to get there.

Yoon, 64, has been holed up inside the presidential palace in central Seoul for the past month while his supporters and opponents rallied outside. They turned Yongsan in central Seoul into a center of protests, with tensions often rising.

Arrests appeared imminent as hundreds of people camped out overnight on Tuesday as temperatures plummeted to -8C. The only things they shared were steaming drinks and instant noodles from the food truck.

Yin's supporters clashed with 3,000 police officers who gathered to detain him. Reflecting the frustration of Yin's camp, one protester shouted: "Don't call us stupid far-righters."

A very different scene unfolded on the other side of the street. Opponents who had long called for Yin's arrest celebrated with chants and cheers.

Their cheers only made the pro-Yin camp angrier, with some shouting: "Don't laugh at us - it's not funny."

The bay is not limited to this corner of Longshan. It has been gripping the country for more than a month.

Yin's shocking declaration of martial law on December 3 almost immediately divided public opinion into two camps.

While some believed his claims that the country was under threat, many more viewed the move as an opportunistic abuse of power. This sentiment was echoed even within Yin's own party, with several lawmakers voting to impeach him.

The growing opposition to Yin's actions has cast a pall over the entire country.

The year-end season in Korea is usually full of energy. But things are clearly different this year. political unrest—and The devastating Jeju Air crash December 29 - A depressing, gloomy atmosphere was created.

Yoon himself has largely shunned the public since being impeached by parliament in mid-December.

He never left his residence to meet his supporters. On New Year's Day, he sent them a note saying he was "paying close attention to (them) via a YouTube livestream." He missed the first hearing of the impeachment trial on January 14, delaying the proceedings.

He had previously refused to comply with subpoenas on multiple occasions as part of a criminal investigation into insurrection charges, resulting in an arrest warrant.

On Wednesday, he released a video statement saying he would work with the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) to avoid "bloodshed" while claiming their arrest warrant had no legal effect.

It was a massive operation that came after the chief information officer warned that the presidential security team could also be arrested if they tried again to prevent Yoon's arrest. Unlike last time, the CIO and the police succeeded in detaining Yoon, although negotiations still took several hours.

As soon as he left the presidential palace, the surrounding streets began to empty. Protesters dispersed and police barricades were removed.

Some of Yin's supporters moved into the chief information officer's office, where he was being questioned. They needed another warrant to hold him in custody for more than 48 hours.

While Yoon Eun-hye's arrest ended the security standoff, it did not end the rifts that existed outside South Korea. In recent decades, South Korea has become a leading global economy and a beacon of democracy in Asia.

“There is no point in arresting the country’s leader,” declared one protester outside the presidential palace.

Opposition voices countered: "Execution of the arrest warrant is a necessary step - Yoon is trying to undermine the country's democracy."

Yoon himself continues to question whether the CIO has the authority to arrest him — his lawyers say no because insurrection is not a corruption charge. But the CIO said the insurrection was a form of abuse of power and the allegation fell within their remit to investigate.

What seemed like a legal debate has spilled into politics, with both sides trying to control the narrative.

The swift impeachment of Yoon's immediate successor, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, has led to accusations that impeachment is being used as a political tool against Yoon's allies. Yoon Eun-hye's impeachment trial, which began this week, has created more uncertainty.

The public will focus on what, if any, comments Yin makes while in custody or on trial.

The worry is that whatever happens next for Yoon, the polarization of South Korean politics will continue.