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South Korean investigators have launched a fresh attempt to arrest suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his failed move to impose martial law in the country last month.
The operation, which began shortly after 4am local time on Wednesday, is the second attempt this month by South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office to detain Yoon for questioning on insurrection and abuse of office charges.
An initial effort by investigators to arrest Yoon at his presidential compound earlier this month was foiled by his protection officers following a tense hours-long stand-off.
Images broadcast on South Korean television on Wednesday appeared to show police tussling with pro-Yoon demonstrators outside the compound, where he has been holed up for several weeks.
According to South Korea’s state-owned news agency Yonhap, police and officials from the CIO arrived at the compound and presented a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, but were prevented from entering by the presidential security service, which has remained loyal to him.
Yonhap also reported that about 30 lawmakers from Yoon’s conservative People Power party were at the compound and attempting to prevent officials from entering it.
“A physical clash is occurring between the Corruption Investigation Office, police and the presidential security service in front of the presidential residence, and there are also intense scuffles between Yoon supporters and the police,” People Power party floor leader Kweon Seong-dong told reporters outside the country’s national assembly.
“Executing an arrest warrant . . . is neither fitting for the dignity of Korea nor respectful to the sitting president.”
Police said they were also seeking to execute an arrest warrant for Kim Seong-hoon, the deputy head of Yoon’s presidential security team.
Yoon remains South Korea’s nominal head of state while the country’s constitutional court deliberates on whether to approve his impeachment following a vote in favour of the move in the national assembly last month.
The court held its first formal hearing into Yoon’s impeachment on Tuesday, but the session lasted only four minutes because the suspended president did not attend, citing concerns for his personal safety.
The efforts by the CIO and police to detain Yoon for questioning relates to a separate, criminal process connected to his failed imposition of martial law.
Yoon’s lawyers have insisted the CIO has no standing to pursue criminal insurrection charges against him, warning last week that an attempt by police to break into the president’s compound could provoke a “civil war”.
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