SEOUL: Concerns are mounting over the possibility of a confrontation, as investigators are expected to execute a warrant to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol following his impeachment. The president has pledged to "fight to the end" against the warrant, intensifying tensions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the state anti-corruption agency plans to carry out the arrest warrant as early as Thursday, after it was granted by the Seoul Western District Court on Tuesday. The warrant is linked to Yoon's brief declaration of martial law on December 3, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced arrest.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is preparing to enforce the warrant without significant disruptions, amid concerns that the presidential security service or Yoon's supporters may attempt to obstruct the process. Supporters have gathered outside Yoon's residence in central Seoul, with the president expressing solidarity with them.
Yoon declared in a message that South Korea is in peril due to "internal and external forces" and "anti-state groups," affirming his commitment to protect the country alongside his supporters. His lawyer has argued that any police attempt to execute the warrant on the CIO's behalf could lead to charges of abuse of power and obstruction against them by the presidential security service.
Yoon's legal team has filed an injunction to suspend the warrant, labeling it "illegal." The CIO's request for the warrant followed Yoon's failure to comply with three summonses for questioning related to the martial law investigation, conducted jointly with the police and the defense ministry's investigation unit.
Typically, warrants are executed swiftly once issued. However, the CIO is cautiously considering how and when to proceed, given the warrant targets a sitting president. The presidential security service has indicated it will take security measures in accordance with due process, suggesting it might continue to protect Yoon rather than assist investigators.
The CIO has committed to enforcing the warrant, which will expire on Monday. Alongside the detention warrant, the court approved a search warrant for the presidential residence, noting exceptions to laws restricting searches in areas containing military secrets or seizing official secrets without consent.
Security service officials had previously thwarted attempts to raid the presidential office on these grounds. An official informed Yonhap News Agency that they have yet to verify if the exception is specified in the warrant.
Oh Dong-woon, chief of the CIO, urged the security service to cooperate, cautioning that attempts to obstruct the warrants could constitute dereliction of duty and obstruction of official duties. If Yoon is arrested, investigators plan to take him to the CIO's headquarters in Gwacheon for questioning before possibly detaining him at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang.
Once detained, the CIO will have 48 hours to decide whether to seek another warrant for Yoon's formal arrest or release him.