AP – Seoul, South Korea: Despite frigid temperatures and snow, hundreds of South Koreans gathered near the home of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, calling for his removal and arrest. Authorities are gearing up to reattempt his detainment following a failed effort by anti-corruption agency investigators and police on Friday. The warrant for Yoon’s detention is valid until Monday, with no immediate plans to return as of Sunday afternoon. Security measures were visibly heightened around Yoon’s residence over the weekend in anticipation of a potential re-arrest attempt.
A Seoul court issued a warrant to detain Yoon and search his residence after he repeatedly resisted authorities, leading to accusations of rebellion. Yoon’s declaration of martial law in response to political opposition was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly, resulting in his impeachment. The country’s anti-corruption agency is considering charges of rebellion against him.
Efforts to detain Yoon face challenges due to his official residence being protected by the presidential security service. The agency has called on the acting leader to ensure the warrant’s execution, while Yoon’s legal team contests the warrants, citing laws protecting locations potentially tied to military secrets from search without consent. Protests both for and against Yoon have continued, highlighting the political turmoil gripping South Korea.
The National Investigation Service lacks the legal authority to investigate charges of rebellion and police officers are not authorized to assist in detaining Yoon, according to sources familiar with the situation. While the presidential security act mandates protection for Yoon, it does not grant the presidential security service the power to impede court-ordered detentions. The service’s efforts to obstruct the execution of the warrant could be deemed as interference with official duties, noted Park Sung-bae, a legal expert specializing in criminal law. Although the president typically enjoys immunity from prosecution while in office, this protection does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.
The agency reported that its investigators, outnumbered and facing resistance from presidential security forces, encountered several altercations that jeopardized their safety. The agency expressed “serious regret” over Yoon’s lack of compliance with the legal process.
Despite facing obstacles presented by a military unit stationed at the residence’s grounds, the agency’s investigative team and accompanying police managed to advance to within 200 meters of Yoon’s residential building. However, their progress was impeded by a barricade formed by approximately 10 vehicles and some 200 members of the presidential security forces and troops. The agency noted its inability to visually confirm Yoon’s presence inside the residence.
The Defense Ministry clarified that the troops stationed at Yoon’s official residence fall under the jurisdiction of the presidential security service. Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho expressed concerns to the presidential security service, cautioning against deploying military personnel to obstruct the execution of the detention warrant. He emphasized that such actions would be deemed “inappropriate” and requested that the troops be kept out of situations where they may face off against law enforcement, as relayed by the ministry.
Several high-ranking officials, including Yoon’s defense minister, police chief, and key military commanders, have been apprehended for their involvement during the period of martial law.
Following the National Assembly’s impeachment vote on December 14, Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended. The fate of Yoon now rests with the Constitutional Court, which has initiated deliberations to determine whether to uphold the impeachment and formally oust Yoon from office or reinstate him.
