South Korean military blocks investigators from arresting president

The Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO) said in a press release on January 3 that it had begun executing an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol. But a police official said investigators were blocked from entering the presidential palace by a military unit believed to be part of the Capital Defense Command.

The CIO has until January 6 to execute arrest warrants on charges of rebellion and abuse of power related to President Yoon's brief declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.

Protests by Mr. Yoon's supporters outside the presidential palace have complicated the CIO's efforts, along with the possibility of conflict with the Presidential Security Service.

Thousands of supporters have gathered near the residence in recent days to protest President Yoon's impeachment and prevent his arrest. Some were dispersed and taken away by police.

Carrying out the arrest warrant on Saturday (January 4) or Sunday (January 5) could risk facing larger crowds, while carrying it out on January 6 would be too close to the warrant's deadline, observers said.

The CIO has been working with the police and the Ministry of National Defense's investigation unit to conduct a joint investigation into Mr. Yoon's failed attempt to impose martial law.

The arrest warrant team consisted of 30 people from the CIO and 120 police, of whom 70 were waiting outside the presidential palace.

The CIO requested an arrest warrant after Mr. Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning. The agency also obtained a search warrant for the president's residence.

Yoon's defense team has called the arrest warrant "illegal and invalid" and has filed a petition to block its enforcement.