South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) announced yesterday (January 3) that it had suspended its attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol for declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, according to Yonhap. The CIO was forced to halt the effort due to concerns about the safety of its staff due to obstruction, and said it "deeply regrets" Mr. Yoon's attitude of not following the procedures prescribed by law. The CIO added that it will consider the next steps.
Unable to get past South Korean presidential security team, investigators stop arrest warrant
The confrontation lasted for hours
The CIO stopped 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 palace in central Seoul to arrest him. Once inside, the investigators presented a court-issued arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon and searched the palace, but were denied entry by Park Chong-jun, director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), citing security area restrictions, according to Yonhap. Before confronting the PSS, the investigators were also opposed by a military unit stationed at the presidential palace area.
Police monitor supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the presidential palace in Seoul on January 3.
Reuters quoted a CIO official as saying that more than 200 PSS agents and soldiers formed several layers to block investigators and police. The official added that although there were scuffles and the PSS agents appeared to be carrying weapons, no weapons were drawn.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 pro-Yoon protesters 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 against Yoon's impeachment and arrest.
The CIO has until January 6 to execute the warrant for Mr. Yoon’s arrest. The CIO plans to try 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 stopped its arrest efforts, Yoon's legal team claimed that the CIO had no authority to investigate the sedition charges during the declaration of martial law. The legal team also said 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 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 at this first debate. The court also planned to hold a second debate on January 16 in case Mr. Yoon refuses to be present at the first session.
Also related to the declaration of martial law, Yonhap yesterday quoted South Korean prosecutors 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 is accused of sending special operations 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 consider the actions of Kwak and Park to be an attempt to overthrow the constitution and amount to charges 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
Comment (0)