Yonhap news agency reported that the National Office of Investigation (NOI) had summoned the leaders of police investigation teams in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and other units in the Korean capital region to NOI headquarters to have a meeting to discuss a plan to arrest the President. Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Buses block outside the entrance to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s residence in Seoul
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and suspended by the National Assembly for declaring martial law in December 2024. Police also investigated him on charges of rebellion and abuse of power.
The court ordered his temporary detention and the investigation agency carried out the arrest warrant on January 3 but was stopped by the security team. On January 7, the court passed a new arrest warrant after the original warrant expired.
On January 9, NOI sent a notice to investigation teams in the Seoul capital area, asking them to prepare to mobilize about 1,000 personnel for the second arrest.
On January 10, Director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) Park Chong-jun submitted his resignation and appeared before the police to give testimony on charges of obstructing investigators from executing an arrest warrant. Acting President Choi Sang-mok accepted Mr. Park’s resignation.
Director of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) Park Chong-jun responded to the press on January 10
Speaking to reporters before meeting investigators, Mr. Park said that government agencies should not confront each other. “There should be no clashes and bloodshed under any circumstances. I think the investigation should be conducted in a way appropriate to the status of a sitting president,” Mr. Park said.
Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol did not comply with the Corruption Investigation Office’s summons to give testimony to senior officials (CIO) because he believed that this agency had no authority. Security has been beefed up around his residence as guards have set up multiple buses and barbed wire fences in front of the entrance.
On the other hand, the Korean Constitutional Court is considering impeaching Mr. Yoon. If found guilty, he will be deposed. Otherwise, he will be reinstated. Mr. Yoon’s lawyers said he would accept any ruling by the Constitutional Court.
