South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) on Tuesday said it had suspended its efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, Yonhap reported. The CIO halted its efforts due to concerns over the safety of its staff due to obstruction, saying it "deeply regrets" Yoon's attitude of not following the procedures prescribed by law. The CIO added that it would consider its next steps.
Unable to get past South Korean presidential security team, investigators stop arrest warrant
The confrontation lasted for hours.
The CIO stopped executing the arrest warrant for Yoon at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, about five hours after a team of investigators and police arrived at the presidential palace in central Seoul to arrest him. Once inside, the investigators presented a court-issued arrest warrant for Yoon and searched the palace, but were denied entry by Park Chong-jun, director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), citing security restrictions, according to Yonhap. Before confronting the PSS, the investigators were also resisted by a military unit stationed at the presidential palace.
Police monitor supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the presidential palace in Seoul on January 3.
In addition, 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 scuffles and PSS agents appeared to be carrying weapons, no weapons were drawn.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 protesters supporting Mr. Yoon gathered near the presidential palace, with about 2,700 police officers maintaining order. Thousands have gathered outside the presidential palace in recent days to protest Mr. Yoon’s impeachment and arrest.
The CIO has until January 6 to execute the warrant for Mr. Yoon’s arrest. The CIO plans to attempt to arrest Mr. Yoon on January 3 (Friday) because executing the warrant on Saturday or Sunday could risk facing a larger crowd, while executing it on January 6 would be too close to the deadline.
After the CIO called off its arrest efforts, Yoon's legal team claimed the CIO had no authority to investigate the sedition charges during the declaration of martial law. The legal team also said it was regrettable that the CIO 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 were prosecuted
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court of South Korea announced yesterday that it will hold the first debate on January 14 in the impeachment case against President Yoon for declaring martial law to decide whether to remove him from office, according to Reuters. Mr. Yoon is required to be present for this first debate. The court also plans to hold a second debate on January 16 in case Mr. Yoon refuses to be present for the first session.
Also related to the declaration of martial law, Yonhap quoted South Korean prosecutors yesterday as saying that General Park An-su (Chief of the Army Staff) and Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun (Commander of the Army Special Operations Command) were indicted on charges of rebellion and abuse of power. Mr. Park issued a martial law decree under his name on December 3, 2024.
Kwak was accused of sending special forces to the National Assembly at Yoon's behest to protect the building and prevent lawmakers from passing a motion to overturn Yoon's martial law. Prosecutors viewed the actions of Kwak and Park as an attempt to overthrow the constitution and as a charge of rebellion. 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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