South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has made a renewed effort to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol, urging the Ministry of National Defense and the Presidential Security Service to fully cooperate. In formal letters sent late Sunday, the CIO warned both institutions of severe legal consequences for obstructing the execution of arrest warrants or search operations at the presidential residence in Seoul.
This marks the second attempt by the CIO to detain Yoon, who has remained inside his residence, barricaded by his security team and a group of hundreds of supporters. The CIO’s communication to the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that any interference by military personnel in the arrest or search operations could result in criminal charges, as well as potential liability for damages if harm occurs during the process.
The Presidential Security Service, which is responsible for guarding the president, also received a similar warning. The CIO highlighted that personnel who obstruct investigators could face significant repercussions, including the loss of their public servant status, restrictions on future employment, and penalties affecting their pensions. The agency, however, reassured public servants that refusing to carry out unlawful orders to block the enforcement of the warrants would not lead to any negative consequences for them.
Despite the growing pressure, President Yoon remains defiant, labeling the arrest warrant against him as “illegal and invalid.” He has continued to defend his controversial actions, including the declaration of martial law, as lawful and legitimate. Speaking to his supporters, Yoon vowed, “I will fight until the end,” reinforcing his position to resist arrest.
In response, Yoon’s supporters have formed a human barricade outside his residence, pledging to prevent his arrest. Tensions have risen as these supporters fear that Yoon could be detained if he leaves the compound to attend impeachment hearings, intensifying the political standoff.
At the same time, rival protesters, braving freezing conditions, continue to demand Yoon’s arrest, further deepening the divide within South Korean society. As the standoff continues, the CIO’s latest warnings underscore the high stakes of the political crisis, with legal and political ramifications on the horizon.
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