(CLO) The Seoul Western District Court has rejected President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to cancel the arrest and search warrant for the presidential residence, despite strong objections from his legal representative.
The decision came as an arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon, related to charges of rebellion during the December 3 martial law crackdown, was set to expire at midnight on January 6, and days after Mr. Yoon’s legal team filed a protest, arguing that the arrest warrant was “illegal.” The court did not provide specific reasons for rejecting the request to cancel the warrant.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: Jung Yeon-Je
Earlier on January 3, about 150 investigators and police officers led by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) attempted to execute an arrest warrant at the presidential palace but were forced to retreat after more than five hours of confrontation with the Presidential Security Service. Tensions continued to escalate as the CIO considered options, including extending the warrant or seeking a new one.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yoon’s legal representative announced that he would file a lawsuit against 150 officials of the CIO, the police, and the Ministry of National Defense for obstruction of public duty and violation of the Military Security Protection Law. In contrast, the police have requested the presidential security officials to appear in court to investigate their obstruction of public duty, but they have refused to cooperate.
The main opposition demanded that the CIO speed up the arrest of Mr. Yoon, accusing the government of preventing investigators from carrying out their duties. Meanwhile, conservative politicians accused the CIO of exceeding its authority and using illegal coercive measures.
The controversy raises questions about the CIO’s powers to investigate sedition allegations. If the arrest is successful, the CIO would have 48 hours to question Mr Yoon or seek a new warrant to extend his detention to a maximum of 20 days.
The situation continues to be tense as both sides take legal and political measures to defend their positions, amid a constitutional crisis and controversy over judicial powers in South Korea.
Ngoc Anh (according to Yonhap, Korea Herald)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/toa-an-han-quoc-bac-don-khang-cao-lenh-bat-giu-tong-thong-yoon-post329076.html
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