In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea's anti-corruption agency has handed over the responsibility of detaining impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol to the national police forces. This move comes after investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) were unable to secure Yoon's arrest amidst a tense standoff with the presidential security service last week.
The decision was confirmed by both the CIO and the police on Monday, just hours before Yoon's one-week detention warrant was set to expire at midnight (1500 GMT). With the current warrant nearing its end, the police are evaluating the CIO's request to possibly obtain a new court warrant to extend Yoon's detention. As of now, it's unclear whether the CIO will attempt another round of detention before the deadline.
Yoon Suk-yeol made history as the first incumbent South Korean president to face arrest charges following his unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law on December 3. The Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant for his detention and another to search his official residence. However, the execution of these warrants was hampered by Yoon's presence in the official residence, complicating efforts to enforce the court orders.
Adding to the complexity, Park Chong-jun, the chief of security for the impeached Yoon, stated on Sunday that he could not cooperate with the arrest efforts. Park cited ongoing legal debates surrounding the validity and execution of the arrest warrant as the reason for his non-cooperation. He also defended the presidential security service's 60-year legacy of protecting South Korea's presidents, regardless of their political stance, and dismissed criticism that the service had devolved into a \"private army.\"
This high-stakes political drama highlights the tensions within South Korea's governance structures and raises important questions about the rule of law and the mechanisms in place to hold even the highest offices accountable. As the situation unfolds, eyes around the world remain fixed on Seoul, anticipating the next developments in this unprecedented case.
Reference(s):
S. Korean police entrusted with execution of warrant to arrest Yoon
cgtn.com
