South Korean investigators announced on Friday that they were suspending their attempt to arrest deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol holed up in his residence in Seoul.
They failed to arrest him for his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3, prevented from achieving their ends by presidential bodyguards.
They have until January 6 to execute the arrest warrant issued against the deposed president.
A deposed president entrenched, protected by his security agents. On Friday, prosecutors and agents from the Senior Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is centralizing the investigation into “rebellion” opened against Yoon Suk Yeol, remained inside the presidential residence but did not failed to arrest the deposed president at his residence in Seoul for his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3, prevented from achieving their ends by presidential bodyguards.
“Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant today, it was determined that it was materially impossible due to the continuing impasse”the IOC said in a press release. “Concerns for the safety of staff on site led to the decision to halt the execution”he added, leaving the presidential residence empty-handed.
The presidential security service, which continues to protect Yoon Suk Yeol as acting head of state, had already prevented several searches by investigators at his home in recent days. But the IOC has until January 6 to execute the arrest warrant issued by a Seoul court at his request on Tuesday.
Supporters camp in front of the presidential residence
The deposed president is still supported by part of the population, including well-known far-right YouTubers and evangelical Christian preachers who camped near the presidential residence all night from Thursday to Friday, some organizing nightly prayer sessions. “We are gathered here today, ready to risk our lives”Lee Hye-sook, 57, told AFP, accusing the opposition of“trying to transform our country into a socialist state similar to North Korea”.
On the night of December 3 to 4, Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law and sent the army to Parliament to try to muzzle him, an episode which reminded the country of the dark hours of the military dictatorship. He was forced to backtrack a few hours later, when MPs managed to enter Parliament and pass a motion demanding the lifting of martial law while their aides blocked the chamber doors with furniture and thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered outside.
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An arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol, who officially remains the head of state and is only suspended pending confirmation by the Constitutional Court of his dismissal by mid-June, would be unprecedented in the history of the South Korea.
