South Korean Police Ordered to Arrest Impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol
South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has enlisted police assistance to detain impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, following a failed attempt to arrest him due to a standoff with his presidential security team.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) confirmed on Monday that it requested police intervention just hours before the one-week detention warrant for President Yoon was set to expire at midnight (1500 GMT) on Monday. The police are considering the request and may seek a new court warrant to extend the detention deadline.
Yoon Suk-yeol became the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest over allegations of attempting to declare martial law on December 3. Last Tuesday, the Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant to detain President Yoon and another to search his residence. However, executing these warrants has proven difficult as long as he remains within his official residence.
Security Standoff
Park Chong-jun, the chief of security for the impeached president, stated on Sunday that he could not comply with the arrest efforts, citing ongoing legal debates surrounding the warrant’s validity. “For 60 years, the presidential security service has provided protection to all presidents, regardless of their political affiliation,” Park said. He urged against criticism labeling the service as a “private army.”
Yoon’s legal team argues that the warrant is unconstitutional because the anti-corruption agency lacks the authority to investigate cases involving charges of insurrection under South Korean law. Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon’s legal advisor, expressed concerns on social media, warning that errors in the legal process against a sitting president could have significant implications for the nation.
Protests Amidst Heavy Snow
The unfolding legal drama has sparked widespread demonstrations in Seoul. Thousands of protesters braved heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures near the presidential residence. Some demanded Yoon’s arrest, while others rallied in his support.
“We must uphold the constitution by holding the president accountable,” said Yang Kyung-soo, leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), a major labor group participating in the protests. Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters held placards declaring, “We will fight for President Yoon Suk-yeol.”
Security forces reinforced barriers around the presidential compound, installing barbed wire and positioning buses to control the crowds. Despite temperatures dropping below minus 5 degrees Celsius and over 6 centimeters of snow accumulating, protesters remained steadfast in their positions.
International Attention
Amid the domestic turmoil, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Seoul early Monday for talks with senior officials. While the focus of his visit remains undisclosed, the timing coincides with the heightened tensions surrounding President Yoon’s situation.
The anti-corruption agency has called on acting President Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, to order the security service to comply with the arrest warrant. The finance ministry declined to comment but emphasized the need to enforce the law without causing harm.
As the midnight deadline approaches, it remains unclear whether authorities will successfully detain President Yoon or if the legal standoff will continue. The nation watches closely, aware that the outcome could set a significant precedent for South Korea’s democratic processes.
Reference(s):
S. Korean police entrusted with execution of warrant to arrest Yoon
cgtn.com
