SEOUL:
South Korean authorities entered the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday to execute a historic arrest warrant, bypassing a crowd of protesters exterior however encountering resistance from presidential safety forces inside.
The Presidential Safety Service (PSS), which had beforehand blocked investigators from accessing Yoon’s workplace and official residence regardless of a search warrant, confronted scrutiny over whether or not it will hinder the arrest.
Yoon faces a felony investigation for alleged revolt associated to his 3 December declaration of martial legislation, an motion that shocked South Korea, a key Asian democracy and financial energy. If carried out, this could mark the primary arrest of a sitting South Korean president.
Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Workplace for Excessive-ranking Officers (CIO), supported by police and prosecutors, arrived at Yoon’s compound early Friday morning. Their entry was initially impeded by a bus blocking the driveway.
Some officers entered on foot by means of an open gate however encountered further obstructions, together with one other bus and an armoured car, earlier than advancing additional.
As soon as inside, investigators confronted cordons of PSS personnel and navy troops assigned to presidential safety. The Ministry of Nationwide Protection confirmed that these troops had been beneath the PSS’s command.
In accordance with Yonhap Information Company, the PSS head asserted that authorities couldn’t search Yoon’s residence. Yoon’s lawyer labelled the arrest warrant illegal, pledging to take authorized motion.
Outdoors Yoon’s residence, protests intensified as rumours of the approaching arrest unfold. Lots of gathered, some chanting slogans in help of Yoon, whereas others referred to as for the arrest of the CIO chief.
Protesters, together with 74-year-old Pyeong In-su, described their actions as patriotic. Pyeong, waving a US–South Korea flag, expressed hope that incoming US President Donald Trump would intervene on Yoon’s behalf.
The arrest warrant, legitimate till 6 January, permits investigators a 48-hour detention window to find out whether or not to pursue an extra warrant or launch Yoon. If detained, Yoon is anticipated to be held on the Seoul Detention Middle.
The controversy stems from Yoon’s 3 December declaration of martial legislation, geared toward overcoming political impasse and concentrating on alleged “anti-state forces.”
Inside hours, 190 lawmakers overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind it. Yoon later defended his actions, accusing political opponents of North Korean sympathies and alleging election interference with out proof.
Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key determine within the martial legislation decree, has already been detained and indicted on costs of revolt and abuse of energy. Notably, revolt is among the many few costs that don’t grant immunity to a South Korean president.
Impeached and suspended from energy on 14 December, Yoon awaits the Constitutional Court docket’s determination on whether or not to reinstate or completely take away him. The courtroom is ready to carry a second listening to in a while Friday.