The Corrupt Practices Investigation Office (CIO) of South Korea announced yesterday (January 3) that it is halting the execution of an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol regarding the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, according to Yonhap. The CIO was forced to stop the effort due to concerns about the safety of its staff caused by obstruction, and stated that it "deeply regrets" Mr. Yoon's failure to comply with legally mandated procedures. The CIO added that it will consider further steps.
Unable to get past the South Korean presidential security detail, investigators halted the arrest warrant.
The standoff lasted for hours.
The CIO halted the execution of the arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon at 1:30 p.m. on January 3 (Korean time), about five hours after a team of investigators and police arrived at the presidential residence in central Seoul to arrest him. Upon entering, the investigators presented the court-issued arrest warrant and search warrant for the residence, but were refused entry by Park Chong-jun, Director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), citing restrictions on the security zone, according to Yonhap. Prior to confronting the PSS, the investigators had also faced resistance from a military unit stationed in the presidential residence area.
Police monitored supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as they gathered near the presidential palace in Seoul on January 3.
Additionally, Reuters quoted a CIO official as saying that more than 200 PSS agents and soldiers formed multiple layers to block investigators and police. The official added that although there were skirmishes and PSS agents appeared to be carrying weapons, no weapons were drawn.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 protesters supporting Yoon gathered near the presidential palace, while approximately 2,700 police officers maintained order. Thousands of people had gathered outside the presidential palace in recent days to protest Yoon's impeachment and arrest.
The CIO has until January 6th to execute the arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon. The CIO plans to try to arrest Mr. Yoon on January 3rd (Friday) because executing the arrest warrant on Saturday or Sunday could risk facing a larger crowd, while executing it on January 6th would be too close to the deadline.
After the CIO halted its arrest attempt, Yoon's legal team stated that the CIO lacked the authority to investigate the alleged rebellion in the context of martial law. The lawyers further stated that it was regrettable that the CIO had attempted to "execute an illegal and invalid arrest and search warrant" in a sensitive security area.
Police and investigators leave the residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 3.
Two generals have been prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the South Korean Constitutional Court announced yesterday that it will hold its first hearing on January 14th in the impeachment case against President Yoon regarding the declaration of martial law to decide whether or not to remove him from office, according to Reuters. Yoon is required to be present at this first hearing. The court has also planned a second hearing on January 16th in case Yoon refuses to appear at the first.
Also related to the declaration of martial law, Yonhap reported yesterday, citing South Korean prosecutors, that General Park An-su (Chief of Staff of the Army) and Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun (commander of the Army Special Operations Command) have been indicted on charges of rebellion and abuse of power. Park issued the martial law decree in his name on December 3, 2024.
Kwak, on the other hand, is accused of sending special forces to parliament on Yoon's orders to protect the building and prevent lawmakers from passing a motion to overturn martial law imposed by Yoon. Prosecutors view the actions of both Kwak and Park as an attempt to subvert the constitution and equivalent to charges of sedition. The two generals were arrested last month.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cuoc-doi-dau-cang-thang-tai-dinh-tong-thong-han-quoc-185250103194913501.htm
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