South Korean President Yoon cited election fraud as one of the reasons behind his brief declaration of martial law, which plunged Asia's fourth-largest economy into political chaos. This move led to Yoon becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested last week. Despite his arrest, Yoon has refused to cooperate with the authorities by undergoing questioning.

Following his detention, Yoon's supporters took drastic action, storming a court building on Sunday after his detention was extended. The protesters caused significant damage, smashing windows and destroying office equipment. During rallies in Seoul, some demonstrators held placards with slogans like "Stop the steal," echoing the rhetoric often associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s supporters. These supporters expressed hope that their message would reach the United States President-elect, hoping for his backing in the face of what they call election fraud and a growing threat from pro-North Korean sympathizers. University student Hong Hyeon-young, a pro-Yoon demonstrator, stated, "We are facing serious election fraud and a huge threat from pro-North spies who want to endanger the South Korea-US alliance. I hope he (Trump) will pay attention to South Korea and provide strong support."

After the South Korean parliament voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, reports emerged that Yoon met with a close ally of Trump, Matthew Schlapp, the chairman of the American Conservative Union. The two discussed political developments in South Korea, including the martial law declaration and the impeachment process.

The United States and South Korea share a long-standing military alliance, with the U.S. stationing nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea as part of its defense strategy against North Korea's nuclear threat. At conservative rallies, it is common to see elderly South Koreans waving both American and South Korean flags, a symbol of their deep gratitude for U.S. support during the Korean War in the 1950s. They view a strong alliance with Washington as essential for maintaining security and deterring potential threats from Pyongyang.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Reuters.