South Korea Martial Law
Failed Arrest Attempt
Thousands of police officers lined the street outside the presidential compound to prevent clashes. (AP pic)
SEOUL: South Korean investigators abandoned their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence today over a failed martial law bid, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team.
Background
Yoon, who has already been suspended from duty by lawmakers, would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested if the warrant is carried out. The president, who issued a bungled declaration on Dec 3 that shook the vibrant East Asian democracy and briefly lurched it back to the dark days of military rule, faces imprisonment or, at worst, the death penalty.
Standoff
Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant today, it was determined that the execution was effectively impossible due to the ongoing standoff, the corruption investigation office (CIO) said in a statement. Concern for the safety of personnel on-site led to the decision to halt the arrest attempt, the statement said of the confrontation with Yoon’s presidential security service and its military unit.
Around 20 investigators and 80 police officers were heavily outnumbered by around 200 soldiers and security personnel linking arms to block their way after entering the presidential compound, a CIO official told a briefing. Negotiations between the two sides ultimately faltered and the investigators decided to leave for their team’s safety, although another execution of the warrant could take place after a review, the official said.
Legal Team Response
Yoon’s legal team – who raced to the residence and whom AFP saw were allowed inside – said police had no right to execute the warrant at a "first-class military secret protection facility". "We express deep regret regarding today’s unlawful and invalid execution of arrest and search warrants," the president’s lawyer Yoon Kab-keun said in a statement.
Supporters
A handful of Yoon’s die-hard supporters, who include far-right YouTube personalities and evangelical Christian preachers, had camped outside his compound in the bitter cold, some holding all-night prayer sessions. They chanted "Illegal warrant is invalid" as police and media gathered outside the residence.
Future
The deadline for the warrant is Monday, leaving it in limbo with just a few days remaining and Yoon defiant, vowing this week to "fight" authorities trying to question him. Yoon’s security service – which still protects him as the country’s sitting head of state – has previously blocked attempted police raids of the presidential office.
Conclusion
The failed arrest attempt has raised concerns about the rule of law in South Korea and the ability of the government to enforce its will. The standoff has also highlighted the divisions within the country, with some calling for Yoon’s arrest and others defending him.
FAQs
Q: Why did the investigators abandon their attempt to arrest Yoon Suk Yeol?
A: The investigators abandoned their attempt due to safety concerns after a standoff with Yoon’s security team.
Q: What is the deadline for the warrant?
A: The deadline is Monday, leaving it in limbo with just a few days remaining.
Q: What is Yoon’s response to the warrant?
A: Yoon has vowed to "fight" authorities trying to question him and has ignored three rounds of summons from investigators.
Q: What is the significance of this event?
A: The failed arrest attempt has raised concerns about the rule of law in South Korea and the ability of the government to enforce its will.