Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

Both supporters and protesters staged rallies near the residence of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday, a day before an arrest warrant for him expires.

On the day, conservative groups supporting Yoon and labor groups which hold opposing views called on the public to gather outside the presidential residence. Both sides sought to control the traffic near the residence.

Supporters of the president stressed that removing him from office would not solve the greater challenges the country faces.

"Some people said that as long as the president is arrested, as long as he steps down, everything will be solved. I think this is wrong, so I want to stand out and show my support," said a supporter.

When asked about Yoon's refusal to cooperate with the investigation into his martial law order in early December, the supporter stressed the necessity of waiting for South Korea's constitutional court's ruling.

Protesters said Yoon's declaration of martial law in December posed a significant threat to the fair governance of the country.

"Everyone may have different ideas, but most people, most citizens think that there is a problem now. If you don't stand out and speak up, there will be no change in the status quo. As an ordinary citizen, I think I should stand out and make my voice heard. Without citizens, this country will not exist, and there will be no constitution. But (Yoon) pointed the gun at the people and the constitution. Under the system of separation of powers, martial law was declared (because the National Assembly did not cooperate with the government to legislate). I can't agree with it at all," a protester said.

The investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) attempted to arrest Yoon in his residence on January 3, but they failed as the presidential security service blocked the execution of the arrest warrant which was issued by the Seoul Western District Court.

A second arrest operation is being planned, but no action has been taken yet.

The arrest warrant remains valid until Monday.

According to multiple media outlets, the CIO will seek the extension of a warrant to arrest the impeached Yoon on Monday after entrusting the National Office of Investigation (NOI) with the task of executing the warrant on Sunday.

The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year and delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended.

Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on an insurrection charge, declared martial law on the night of December 3, 2024 but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

Supporters, protesters gather at impeached South Korean president's residence

People in the Republic of the Congo say they are looking forward to expanding cooperation with China to more fields including medicine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is going to visit the central African country on Tuesday, as part of his four-nation tour of Africa.

Officials said that the two sides will implement some of the programs that were agreed upon at last year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.

Economic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo date back to the 1960s.

Over the years, China has built factories, roads and bridges that have helped transform the country's agriculture-based economy into a semi-industrialized one.

Crude oil, copper and wood have been the Republic of the Congo's major exports to China, according to global trade data.

Congolese people hope their government can work to strengthen relations with one of the country's most important partners. In addition to infrastructure, people say some of the other areas that China and the Republic of the Congo plan to develop include health, agriculture and security.

"For me I think cooperation should extend to the healthcare sector, as we know that Chinese are good at medicine," said Ragma Nganga, a university student in Brazzaville.

"Cooperation between China and Congo has been remarkable especially in infrastructure projects. Chinese have built many roads," said Josue Mifoundou, a local digital media practitioner.

In 2018, China and the Republic of the Congo signed a memorandum of understanding on projects under the Belt and Road Initiative - China's flagship infrastructure initiative that's helping link Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa to China through ports, roads and railways.

Congolese people anticipate expanded cooperation with China