(Adnkronos) – Investigators who tried to arrest South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached, today failed to enter the head of state’s residence because the presidential security service prevented them from entering. The South Korean agency Yonhap reports.
The anti-corruption office responsible for executing the arrest warrant told reporters they had begun the process of executing it, but the head of the presidential security service denied agents entry, citing prohibitions in place in areas under protection.
“Prosecutors and investigators are at a standstill with the presidential security service outside the residence after passing through the first and second barriers,” Yonhap writes, quoting a police official. According to Yonhap, the official referred to the gates of the complex and problems with a military unit stationed there. The office has until next Monday to execute the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
The charges stem from Yoon’s unfortunate attempt to impose martial law on December 3. Meanwhile, one of Yoon’s attorneys, according to Yonhap, has announced his intention to legally challenge the arrest warrant because it is considered “invalid” and “illegal.”
Yoon’s lawyers have reportedly already attempted to obtain an injunction from the Constitutional Court against the arrest warrant for abuse of power and sedition, which a court had previously approved.
Since New Year’s Day, numerous Yoon supporters have been protesting his arrest in front of the president’s official residence, blocking access. Investigators intend to question Yoon about the imposition of martial law a month ago, which they say has plunged the country into a state crisis. So far, Yoon has ignored three summonses from the prosecutor’s office. Yoon’s defense attorneys called the order “illegal,” according to Yonhap.
