A basic view reveals the presidential residence of impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol as seen from a hill in Seoul on January 8, 2025. – South Korean anti-graft investigators secured a brand new court-ordered arrest warrant on January 7 for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial legislation bid threw the nation into turmoil. (Picture by JUNG YEON-JE / Agence France-Presse)
SEOUL — South Korea’s presidential safety chief stated Friday there should be no bloodshed if one other arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is executed by investigators over his failed martial legislation bid.
Yoon has refused questioning and final week resisted arrest in a tense stand-off between his guards and investigators after his short-lived energy seize plunged South Korea into its worst political disaster in a long time.
“I perceive many voters are involved in regards to the present state of affairs the place authorities businesses are in battle and confrontation,” presidential safety service chief Park Chong-jun advised reporters Friday earlier than he was questioned on the Korean Nationwide Police Company.
“I imagine that certainly not ought to there be bodily clashes or bloodshed.”
READ: Seoul residents, commuters pressured by rallies close to Yoon’s residence
Article continues after this commercial
Investigators searching for to query Yoon on rebellion costs linked to his ill-fated declaration of martial legislation secured a brand new arrest warrant this week after an preliminary seven-day order expired on Monday.
Article continues after this commercial
A number of hundred of his supporters have rushed to the presidential residence, braving sub-zero temperatures to defend him.
Rival protesters have both referred to as for Yoon’s impeachment to be declared invalid or for him to be detained instantly.
Yoon would develop into the primary sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are in a position to detain him.
His authorized staff have stated they won’t adjust to the present warrant.
READ: South Korea investigators search new warrant to arrest President Yoon
The Corruption Investigation Workplace (CIO) has declared that it might “put together totally” for the second arrest try.
CIO chief Oh Dong-woon has apologized for the failed first arrest try, saying he was “heartbroken.”
Head of the Presidential Safety Service (PSS) Park Chong-jun (C) arrives outdoors the Nationwide Workplace of Investigation in Seoul on January 10, 2025. South Korea’s presidential safety chief stated on January 10 there should be no bloodshed if investigators strive once more to execute an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial legislation bid. (Picture by YONHAP / Agence France-Presse)
Tense standoff at Yoon’s residence
In the meantime, Yoon’s guards have been rising safety at his central Seoul residential compound with barbed wire installations and bus barricades.
Separate from the rebellion probe, Yoon additionally faces ongoing impeachment proceedings – lawmakers have already suspended him, however the nation’s Constitutional Court docket will determine whether or not to uphold this or restore him to workplace.
The court docket has slated January 14 for the beginning of Yoon’s impeachment trial, which might proceed in his absence if he doesn’t attend.
Yoon’s authorized staff says he stays contained in the residence and will seem on the trial.
Former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye by no means appeared for his or her impeachment trials in 2004 and 2016-2017, respectively.
The court docket has as much as 180 days from December 14, when the court docket acquired the case, to find out whether or not to dismiss Yoon or restore him as president.
Final week, investigators and police deserted their arrest bid in a six-hour standoff after being met by a wall of lots of of safety drive members who linked arms to stop entry to Yoon.
Negotiations between the 2 sides in the end faltered and investigators determined to depart for his or her staff’s security.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
The CIO of South Korea was arrange lower than 4 years in the past and has fewer than 100 workers, who’re but to prosecute a single case.
