Impeached South Korean president resists new detention order

Lawyers for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol have criticised efforts to detain him following his brief imposition of martial law, while the acting president cautioned on Wednesday against potential confrontations between law enforcement and presidential security personnel.

As anti-corruption officials and police prepared for another attempt to apprehend Yoon after last week’s failed operation, the presidential security service reinforced his compound with barbed wire and rows of vehicles blocking access.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which leading the probe with police and military assistance, has warned that members of Yoon’s security detail if may be arrested if they obstruct attempts to seize him.

Yoon is under investigation for allegedly committing rebellion after briefly declaring martial law on 3 December and deploying troops to surround the National Assembly.

Yoon’s impeachment followed his controversial martial law declaration, which lawmakers quickly overturned.

On 14 December, the National Assembly suspended Yoon’s powers, accusing him of rebellion. The Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him.

He has repeatedly ignored summons for questioning, prompting the Seoul Western District Court to issue a new detention warrant on Tuesday.

At a press conference, Yoon’s legal team questioned the validity of a new detention warrant issued on Tuesday by the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks the legal authority to investigate rebellion charges or instruct police to detain suspects.

Yoon Kap-keun, one of the lawyers, called on the agency to either indict the president or apply for a formal arrest warrant, which would necessitate a court hearing.

He added, however, that the president would only abide by an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court, accusing the anti-corruption agency of intentionally selecting the Western District Court in an effort to take advantage of an allegedly sympathetic judge.

When asked whether the Yoon would attend a hearing at the Central District Court, the lawyer he did not provide a definitive answer, citing unresolved security concerns.

“People are suffering in the severe cold and government officials must be experiencing significant internal conflict,” he said, referencing the daily protests by both Yoon’s critics and supporters outside his residence.

“Please consider this as us taking a step back based on goodwill,” he added.

The Democratic Party, which led Yoon’s impeachment on 14 December, accused his legal team of stalling tactics and urged swift action.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is serving as acting president, stressed the importance of avoiding violence or injuries in any detainment attempt.

Tensions remain high following last Friday’s standoff, when 150 investigators and police officers were met with resistance from the presidential security service, forcing them to retreat after a five-hour impasse.

Police have since stated they are considering “all available options,” including deploying SWAT teams, and fears of escalation remain.

In a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Oh Dong-woon, chief prosecutor of the anti-corruption agency, criticised Choi for advising police to strengthen security at Yoon’s residence before the detainment effort.

Oh suggested this may have obstructed official duties, and that the agency is reviewing the matter.

Additional sources • AP