15th January 2025 – (Seoul) South Korean investigators have entered the residential compound of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol in a renewed effort to execute an arrest warrant related to his brief imposition of martial law. Reports from South Korea’s Yonhap news agency indicate that dozens of police officials began their operation at 7.30am local time on Wednesday.
Initially, investigators faced resistance from the Presidential Security Service, which blocked access using vehicles and was supported by a group of lawmakers from Yoon’s ruling conservative People Power Party, along with his legal team. This confrontation occurred shortly after Yoon failed to attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial, as efforts to remove him from office continue nearly six weeks after the controversial martial law declaration, which was quickly reversed by the National Assembly.
According to Al Jazeera reporter Patrick Fok, around 1,000 police officers are involved in the operation at Yoon’s residence. The Presidential Security team has reiterated its stance that the arrest warrant lacks legal basis and stated they would uphold standard security protocols, indicating a commitment to protect the president, who remains barricaded within his official residence.
Outside Yoon’s home, thousands of supporters have gathered, chanting messages of solidarity. This marks the second attempt by investigators to arrest the president, following a previous failed attempt earlier this month that ended in a prolonged standoff with his security personnel.
Yoon has been staying inside his hillside villa in Seoul for several weeks, aiming to evade arrest. His absence at the impeachment hearing on Tuesday led to an immediate adjournment of the proceedings. Yoon’s legal representatives cited concerns over his ability to express himself freely amid ongoing attempts to detain him.
The impeachment trial is a result of the National Assembly’s vote on 14th December to remove Yoon from office after his unexpected declaration of martial law on 3rd December, 2024.
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