Investigators from South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Workplace (CIO) arrived on the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday morning to implement an arrest warrant, marking an unprecedented second within the nation’s political historical past, in response to a report by Yonhap Information Company.
President Yoon is beneath investigation for a number of allegations, together with main an revolt — a grave cost that might lead to life imprisonment or the loss of life penalty.
The accusations stem from Yoon’s abrupt declaration of martial legislation in early December, which plunged the nation into political turmoil.
On Tuesday, a court docket authorised the arrest warrant, making Yoon the primary sitting South Korean president to face such an order.
The choice has escalated tensions between investigators and the embattled chief, who was stripped of his presidential powers final month following a parliamentary impeachment vote.
The presidential safety staff acknowledged that “safety measures will probably be taken in accordance with due course of for issues associated to the execution of warrants.”
Yoon’s impeachment got here after some members of his personal ruling occasion turned in opposition to him, citing his refusal to resign within the wake of his contentious decree.
The previous prosecutor has ignored three summonses from investigators in latest weeks, refusing to cooperate with the continued probes.
Regardless of mounting authorized challenges and an impeachment trial earlier than considered one of South Korea’s highest courts, Yoon stays defiant. In a uncommon public assertion shared with supporters gathered exterior his residence earlier this week, Yoon vowed to “struggle to the top” to defend what he described because the nation’s pursuits.
This marked Yoon’s first public remark in weeks, as he had largely retreated from public view amid widespread condemnation of his actions.
