Jun has been in his residence for several weeks.
South Korea’s anti-corruption agency arrived at the official residence of suspended President Jun Sok-Jol on Wednesday morning local time to try again to detain him. The court issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with the declaration of martial law in December. The agencies Reuters, AFP and Jonhap informed about it, writes TASR.
Jun has been in his residence for several weeks. On January 3, hundreds of members of the presidential guard and soldiers prevented the investigators from applying the arrest warrant. Around 6,500 supporters of the president gathered outside the building on Wednesday morning, and several members of his ruling party formed a human chain to protect Jun.
Security will allow entry
According to local media, a joint team of police and the Corruption Perceptions Office (CIO) has mobilized a total of 1,000 officers for Wednesday’s new attempt to arrest the president. He threatened to arrest the members of the security who would prevent them from working.
The military unit guarding the residence announced on Tuesday that it would allow the police and CIO members to enter the building. In response, the President’s bodyguard said that the military unit does not have such authority. The Ministry of Defense expressed the same opinion, according to which permission must be granted by the presidential guard.
On December 3, 2024, Jun declared martial law, triggering a political crisis in the country, although his decision was overturned by the parliament after only a few hours based on the constitution. He subsequently initiated the process of recalling the head of state (impeachment).
Jun and other officials are being investigated for charges of sedition, abuse of power and other crimes. For this, they face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Jun repeatedly refused to appear for questioning.
