Investigators in South Korea seeking to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol have requested an extension for the arrest warrant, which is set to expire later today.
The beleaguered leader remains confined in his residence, protected by loyal security personnel.
The former star prosecutor has defiantly rebuffed questioning on three occasions, while a failed arrest attempt saw hundreds of his protective guards impede investigators trying to apprehend him over a controversial martial law decree issued last month.
Officials from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) indicated they will request an extension to the warrant, set to expire at 3 PM Irish time today.
They mentioned that they sought police assistance in detaining Yoon due to the challenges investigators faced, and will coordinate with law enforcement regarding the timing of the warrant extension.
Police have yet to respond to this request.
Last week, a tense standoff lasting several hours with numerous security personnel forced investigators to reconsider their approach due to security concerns.
Mr. Yoon faces potential prison time or, in the worst-case scenario, the death penalty if arrested, following his brief suspension of civilian rule that plunged South Korea into a significant political crisis. Nevertheless, he and his supporters remain resolute.
“The Presidential Security Service will protect the President, and we will safeguard the Presidential Security Service till midnight,” stated Kim Soo-yong, 62, a protest organizer.
“If they secure another warrant, we will come again.”
Numerous lawmakers from President Yoon’s People Power Party gathered outside his presidential residence early in the morning, as police moved to block roads in anticipation of further protests.
Dozens of supporters and opponents of Mr. Yoon braved sub-zero temperatures the previous day, having camped out overnight.
“I’ve been here longer than the CIO now. It doesn’t make sense why they can’t act. They need to arrest him immediately,” remarked Kim Ah-young, in her 30s and an anti-Yoon protest organizer.
Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol rallied near his residence in Seoul.
The original warrant was issued because Mr. Yoon has declined to respond to questioning regarding his martial law decree.
His legal team has continuously asserted that the warrant is “unlawful” and “illegal,” and has committed to pursuing further legal action against it.
The head of Mr. Yoon’s presidential security service has also stated that he would not permit investigators to arrest the suspended president.
Regardless of the outcome, South Korea’s vibrant democracy will venture into unprecedented territory—either its sitting president will face arrest, or he will have successfully evaded court-ordered detention.
As the clock ticks down on the arrest warrant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Seoul for discussions with various government officials, including acting president Choi Sang-mok, who also serves as finance minister.
Washington’s top diplomat is not scheduled to meet with Mr. Yoon but will join Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul for a press conference, with Cho not facing impeachment threats.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has scheduled 14 January for the commencement of Mr. Yoon’s impeachment trial, which will proceed in his absence if he fails to attend.
A prosecutors’ report concerning his former defense minister, obtained by AFP, indicated that Mr. Yoon disregarded objections from key cabinet ministers prior to his unsuccessful martial law attempt, an aspect the court may consider.
The report noted that the then-prime minister, foreign minister, and finance minister all expressed concerns regarding the potential economic and diplomatic consequences during a cabinet meeting on the night of the decision.
The opposition Democratic Party has also called for the disbandment of the security service protecting Yoon.
However, Mr. Yoon’s lawyers have vowed to mount their own legal challenge.
His legal representatives announced plans to file an additional complaint against the head of the CIO responsible for the arrest attempt.
The CIO is an independent body established in January 2021 to investigate high-ranking officials, including the president and their family members, though it lacks the power to prosecute a sitting president.
Per legal stipulations, the CIO is obligated to refer the case to the prosecutors’ office for any actions, including an indictment, once the questioning concludes.
The president’s legal team “intends to hold accountable those who committed illegal acts under the law,” stated lawyer Yoon Kab-keun.
The Constitutional Court of South Korea has a period of up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Mr. Yoon from office or reinstate his powers.
Notably, former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye never appeared for their impeachment trials.
