As the impeached leader’s supporters rallied outside his home on Wednesday ( Jan 1 ), South Korean investigators announced on Wednesday ( Jan 1 ) that they would execute an arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law by the deadline of January 6.
Yoon’s supporters and opponents have been evicted from their homes outside the mixture where he has been hiding for months, fending off inquiries from investigators. He was suspended from office by lawmakers next month for trying to subvert civilian rule.
After Yoon failed to turn himself in for questioning a third time, the Corruption Investigation Office ( CIO ) requested the warrant, but it’s not clear whether they could carry it out because the Presidential Security Service had previously refused to grant search warrants.
CIO key Oh Dong-woon said on Wednesday the subpoena may be executed “within the deadline”, which is on Monday.
” We aim for a smooth operation without significant problems, but we are also coordinating to mobilise officers and staff in preparation”, he told investigators.
He even warned that anyone who attempts to deter officials from apprehending against Yoon might face legal action.
He said,” We view actions like erecting various barricades and locking iron gates as obstructing official duties,” adding,” We view the implementation of our arrest warrant as a violation of official duties.”
Anyone who does this” could be charged with abuse of authority… obstructing the exercise of rights… and using unique means to obstruct recognized duties,” he continued.
The arrest order was described as “illegal and irrelevant” by Yoon’s legal team, who have pledged to seek its repeal. The party’s supporters have staged rallies to denounce the warrant.
Officers were dispatched to the place in large amounts and could be seen yelling at activists, but a path inside and out of Yoon’s home remained open.
Life videos showed marchers- pro-Yoon on one side, anti-Yoon the different- shouting at each other with authorities in the middle.
Prior to the previous time, North Korean officials had to omit arrest warrants for legislators. In 2000 and 2004, this was because party supporters and members blocked police from entering for the seven-day interval during which the warrant was true.