South Korean investigators have once again urged Acting President Choi Sang-mok to authorize the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The renewed request follows a standoff earlier this week when presidential guards blocked attempts to detain Yoon.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) issued the plea, asking Choi to direct the Presidential Security Service to comply with the arrest warrant.
The warrant, issued last Tuesday, stems from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law last month and his refusal to cooperate with multiple investigation requests. Yoon has ignored summons for questioning and blocked searches of his office in Seoul. The warrant remains valid for only one more week.
Police have also called for Park Jong-Joon, chief of the Presidential Security Service, to present himself for questioning, according to a report by the New York Post.
The standoff escalated as thousands of police officers and protesters surrounded Yoon’s residence, forming a perimeter to prevent his arrest. According to South Korea’s Defense Ministry, officials managed to bypass a military unit guarding the grounds but were stopped before reaching Yoon.
Democratic Party leaders as well as acting President Choi have publicly stated that the presidential security service stand down and comply.
“We warn presidential security service chief Park Jong-joon not to further participate in a rebellion. Do not drag the upright staff of the presidential security service and other public officials into the depths of crime,” said Democratic lawmaker Jo Seung-lae.
Yoon’s legal team, however, has challenged the validity of the arrest warrant. They argue that the anti-corruption agency does not have the jurisdiction to investigate rebellion charges. They also argue that Friday's attempt to detain Yoon was illegal, claiming that the police exceeded their authority.
