Investigators from South Korea’s Anti-Corruption Agency (CIO) used ladders to enter the presidential residence of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday morning (local time). The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported this on Wednesday (local time). Investigators are making a second attempt to arrest the suspended president.
Earlier, the investigators and members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) had ended up in a standoff again. The investigators and police had presented search warrants and arrest warrants, but were blocked. The security guards had set up a barricade of vehicles at the entrance of the residence. MPs from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and Yoon’s lawyers also tried to deny them entry. The latter called the researchers’ attempt “illegal”.
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Before the standoff, investigators became involved in a physical confrontation when she tried to forcibly enter the residence, Yonhap added. According to a journalist from the French news agency AFP, there were blows on both sides.
According to police estimates, approximately 6,500 Yoon supporters are present outside the residence. The police have deployed around 3,000 personnel.
On January 3, investigators made a first attempt to arrest Yoon. After a standoff with the military unit and the presidential security service that lasted almost six hours, they withdrew. A court in Seoul issued arrest warrants for Yoon for ignoring three interrogation summons after declaring martial law on the night of December 3-4. Those orders were extended and are now valid until January 21. In the meantime, Yoon has been impeached by parliament and suspended.
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If investigators succeed in arresting the suspended president this time, it would be a first in South Korean history.
Suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. — © AFP
