A heated confrontation between Korean security and investigators
South Korea witnessed a dramatic escalation in the political crisis ravaging the country, as investigators were forced to suspend the implementation of an arrest warrant against ousted President Yoon Suk-yul on Friday, after a confrontation with his security team. The High-Official Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) announced that executing the arrest warrant against Yoon was impossible due to risks to staff safety.
The investigators decided to stop implementing the arrest warrant, against the backdrop of thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathering in front of his residence, raising American flags and banners demanding that the implementation of the arrest warrant be stopped.
Meanwhile, a human wall was formed by about 200 members of the presidential security forces and soldiers loyal to deposed President Yoon Suk-yul.
These elements organized themselves at the deposed president’s residence, where they formed a solid human barrier that prevented police and investigators from reaching the residence.
“It was determined that implementing the memorandum was impossible on the ground due to the ongoing confrontation,” the investigation office said in a statement, noting that the situation in the vicinity of the headquarters was very tense, as thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered to protest.
The opposition had accused Yoon of trying to lead a coup by imposing martial law, a charge that could expose him to life imprisonment or even death.
It is noteworthy that the crisis in South Korea began on December 3, when Yoon suddenly declared martial law and ordered the deployment of the army in Parliament, justifying this by the existence of a “threat to national stability.”
This decision sparked widespread popular discontent, as it was considered an authoritarian move that threatens democracy.
Although he retracted the decision and apologized to the people, Parliament voted to dismiss him in the middle of the same month.
On the other hand, Parliament also voted to remove interim Prime Minister Han Dak-soo, who was acting president, over accusations of obstructing investigations.
Despite his removal, Yoon refused to comply with the investigations, considering the arrest warrant illegal and invalid.
His lawyer confirmed that the measures against his client lacked a legal basis, announcing his intention to take counter-legal measures.
This crisis has sparked great international interest, as South Korea prepares to receive US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for talks with officials.
The political crisis is expected to continue to paralyze the South Korean scene in the coming weeks, as divisions deepen between the government and the opposition, and tensions rise between Yoon’s supporters and his opponents.
