Seoul, South Korea – South Korean investigators are racing against time to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, with less than 24 hours remaining before their warrant expires on January 6. The embattled leader remains holed up in his residence, surrounded by loyal security forces.
Yoon, a former star prosecutor, has defiantly refused questioning three times. A failed arrest attempt saw hundreds of his protective guards block investigators trying to detain him over a bungled martial law decree last month. The tense, hours-long standoff left it unclear if investigators would make another attempt before the warrant expires at the end of January 6.
Facing potential prison or even the death penalty if arrested, Yoon and his supporters have remained defiant. “The presidential security service will protect the president, and we will protect the presidential security service till midnight,” said Kim Soo-yong, 62, one of the protest organizers.
Under the fog of dawn, dozens of Yoon’s lawmakers from the People Power Party gathered in front of his presidential residence. Police moved to block roads in anticipation of another day of protests, as dozens for and against Yoon braved sub-zero conditions after camping out overnight.
If the seven-day warrant expires, investigators would have to apply for another one, likely to be granted by a court on the same grounds the initial warrant was issued – that Yoon has refused to emerge for questioning over his martial law decree. Yoon’s lawyers have repeatedly called the warrant “unlawful” and “illegal,” pledging further legal action against it.
The head of Yoon’s presidential security service has stated he would not allow investigators to arrest the suspended president. As time ticks on the arrest warrant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Seoul early on January 6 for talks with several government officials, including acting president Choi Sang-mok.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has slated January 14 for the start of Yoon’s impeachment trial, which will continue in his absence if he does not attend. A prosecutors’ report for his former defense minister showed Yoon ignored objections from key cabinet ministers before his failed martial law bid.
The country’s opposition Democratic Party has called for the dissolution of the security service protecting Yoon, while his lawyers have pledged to wage their own legal fight. South Korea’s Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers.