On Friday, January 3rd, the South Korean authorities attempted to execute an unprecedented arrest warrant against the impeached President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol. Investigators successfully navigated through a group of protesters and broke through military barriers to enter the presidential residence, where they are currently in a standoff with security personnel.
Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached for briefly imposing martial law on December 3rd last year. After Yoon Suk-yeol refused to be questioned for the third time, the South Korean Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) applied for an arrest warrant from the Seoul Western District Court, which was granted on December 31st.
On Friday, the ACRC announced that they had begun the execution of the arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol. This would be the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested.
According to reports from the Yonhap News Agency, around 3,000 police forces were mobilized to prepare for the execution of the arrest warrant. Meanwhile, outside the presidential residence, hundreds of Yoon Suk-yeol’s loyal supporters gathered to protect him.
Some protesters chanted, “The people will protect President Yoon Suk-yeol,” and called for the responsible personnel of the ACRC to be arrested.
At around 6:14 a.m. local time, ACRC personnel departed from the central government Gurocheon office building and arrived at the front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul around 7:21 a.m. However, the vehicles of the ACRC were unable to enter the residence immediately, partly due to a bus blocking the road and military resistance.
Around 8:02 a.m., investigators finally managed to bypass the obstacles and enter the presidential residence. They are currently in a standoff with the presidential security personnel, challenging the arrest operation once again.
As reported by Yonhap News Agency, there are a total of 150 personnel involved in the arrest operation, including 30 ACRC officials and 120 police special investigation team members. Eighty individuals have entered the residence, while the remaining 70 are stationed outside.
The current arrest warrant is valid until January 6th, and after Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest, investigators will have 48 hours of detention time. Subsequently, investigators will have to decide whether to apply for a further detention order or release him. If arrested, Yoon Suk-yeol will be held in a detention facility in Seoul.
In the late night of December 3rd, Yoon Suk-yeol suddenly declared martial law to eradicate “anti-national forces,” causing a national uproar and international shock.
However, within hours, 190 legislators disregarded the military and police blockade, entered the parliament, and voted against the martial law order. Approximately six hours after imposing martial law, Yoon Suk-yeol rescinded the order.
He later defended his decision, describing the domestic opposition as sympathizers of North Korea and implying potential election result tampering, although no evidence was provided to support these allegations.
Currently, in addition to facing impeachment, Yoon Suk-yeol is accused of inciting internal disorder, one of the few criminal charges where a South Korean president does not have immunity.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyer claims that the arrest warrant is illegal and invalid, as the ACRC does not have the authority to apply for an arrest warrant according to South Korean law.
Apart from the criminal investigation, the Constitutional Court is currently reviewing Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment case to decide whether to reinstate him or permanently remove him from office. The second hearing of the case is scheduled for later on Friday.