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South Korean investigators have launched a new effort to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his failed attempt to impose martial law last month.
The operation, which began shortly after 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, is the second attempt this month by South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Bureau to detain Yoon for questioning on charges of sedition and abuse of office.
An initial move by investigators to arrest Yoon at his presidential compound was thwarted by his security officers after a tense, hours-long standoff earlier this month.
Images broadcast on South Korean television Wednesday morning appeared to show police clashing with pro-Yoon demonstrators outside the compound where he has been holed up for several weeks.
According to South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap, police and officials from the CIO arrived at the compound and presented a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, but were prevented from entering by the presidential security service, which has remained loyal to him.
Yonhap also reported that about 30 lawmakers from Yoon’s conservative People’s Party were present at the compound and were trying to prevent officials from entering.
Yoon’s lawyers have insisted that the CIO has no standing to pursue criminal sedition charges against Yoon.
They warned last week that a police attempt to enter the presidential compound could provoke a “civil war”.
This is a developing story.
