South Korea’s presidential security chief, Park Chong-jun, delivered a solemn message on the 10th of January, 2025, urging that no bloodshed should occur if authorities attempt another arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated martial law declaration.
The situation remains tense, as Yoon has refused to cooperate with investigators and last week confronted them in a dramatic standoff involving his guards, following his failed power grab that thrust South Korea into its deepest political crisis in decades.
“I understand many citizens are concerned about the current situation where government agencies are in conflict and confrontation. I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed,” Chong-jun stated, reflecting the gravity of the moment.
Investigators, who are keen to interrogate Yoon on charges of insurrection tied to his botched martial law attempt, obtained a new arrest warrant this week after the initial seven-day order expired on the 6th of January, 2025.
Yoon’s supporters, undeterred by the freezing temperatures, have flocked to his residence, determined to shield him from any further action.
On the other hand, rival protests have called either for Yoon’s impeachment to be invalidated or for his immediate detention.
Should the authorities succeed in detaining Yoon, he would make history as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.
However, his legal team has vowed to resist the new warrant.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is now preparing for another attempt, with CIO chief Oh Dong-woon expressing regret over the failure of the first operation, saying he was heartbroken.