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South Korean Police Take Over Efforts to Arrest Impeached President Yoon

South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has turned to the national police force to execute a detention warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, after investigators faced resistance from the presidential security service last week.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) and police officials confirmed on Monday that the agency requested police assistance just hours before the one-week detention warrant for Yoon was set to expire at midnight.

Police sources indicated that the CIO is likely to seek a new court warrant to extend the deadline for Yoon’s detention. “We are currently reviewing the request internally,” a police spokesperson said. It remains uncertain whether the agency will attempt another arrest before the midnight deadline.

Yoon Suk-yeol became the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest after allegedly attempting to declare martial law on December 3. The Seoul Western District Court issued warrants last Tuesday for his detention and a search of his residence. However, efforts to execute these warrants have been obstructed, as Yoon continues to remain within his official residence, shielded by the presidential security service.

Park Chong-jun, the chief of security for the impeached president, stated on Sunday that he could not comply with the arrest efforts due to ongoing legal debates surrounding the warrant’s validity. “The presidential security service has a 60-year tradition of protecting all South Korean presidents, regardless of political affiliation,” Park emphasized. He dismissed criticisms that the service had become a “private army,” urging respect for its role and duties.

The unfolding situation has led to a standoff between the anti-corruption agency and the presidential security forces, highlighting tensions within South Korea’s political and legal institutions. Observers are keenly watching how the developments will impact the country’s governance and legal precedent regarding the arrest of high-ranking officials.

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