Experts looked for a way to execute an arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday, as several dissidents clashed with police outside his home and vowed to thwart any attempt. Yoon is under criminal investigation for rebellion over his short-lived military law attempt on December 3. An arrest would be extraordinary for a South Korean president. Officers from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) for high-ranking officials, who are leading a joint group of agents that includes police and prosecutors, arrived at the door of Yoon’s compound just after 7 a.m. (2200 GMT on Thursday), according to Reuters witnesses. Yonhap news organization detailed that about 3,000 police were gathered in preparation. It was unclear whether the presidential security benefit, which has blocked access to agents with a search warrant to Yoon’s office and official home, would attempt to prevent the arrest. Media reports said CIO vehicles were unable to immediately enter the compound.
Protesters gathered near his home in the early morning, and numbers swelled to hundreds amid media reports that investigation experts would soon try to execute an arrest warrant, which was confirmed on Tuesday after Yoon refused a summons to appear.
“We have to kill them with our lives,” one man was heard saying to others. About a dozen non-conformists attempted to block a group of police officers at a man’s entrance on a pedestrian bridge.
Some chanted “President Yoon Suk Yeol will be protected by the people” and demanded the arrest of the head of the CIO.
Pyong In-soo, 74, said police had to be stopped by “enthusiastic citizens,” a term used by Yoon to denote those standing near his residence.
Pyong greeted the United States and South Korea with the words “Let’s go together” in English and Korean, saying he believed U.S. President Donald Trump would assist Yun. “I believe that after Trump’s introduction he can use his influence to assist in getting our country back on the right track,” he added. Yun caused a stir across the country by announcing late at night on Dec. 3 that he was implementing military law to overcome the political deadlock and root out “anti-state forces.” However, within a few hours, 190 officials had protested behind a cordon of soldiers and police to vote against Yun’s arrangement. About six hours after his introductory announcement, Yun rescinded it. He then issued a defiant guard of his choice, saying domestic political opponents were being considerate of North Korea and citing unconfirmed claims of tampering with the decision. Rebellion is one of the few criminal charges from which a South Korean president is not exempt. Yoon’s lawyers have said the arrest warrant is illegal and invalid because the CIO did not have the expertise under South Korean law to seek the warrant.
Yun has been in custody since he was reprimanded and suspended from his post on Dec. 14.
In addition to the criminal investigation, his prosecution case is currently in a protected court, where it is to be decided whether to reinstate him or permanently expel him. A second hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday.
