Arrest order was issued after Yoon Suk Yeol ignored 3 subpoenas to testify about martial law; supporters try to prevent arrest
South Korean authorities arrested the ousted president Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday night (January 14, 2025) for attempting to impose a . Investigators and police entered the presidential residence complex, in the center of Seoul, at 10:30 am on Wednesday (Jan 15) local time (10:30 pm Brasília time).
The operation was met with resistance and physical confrontations with de Yoon and his security team, who gathered in front of the president’s residence to prevent his arrest. It was the 2nd attempt to arrest the ousted president – the 1st, on January 3, by military personnel and supporters. The information is from the South Korean agency .
The police mobilized around 3,000 agents to gain access to the site, where approximately 6,500 supporters of the former president gathered. In addition to the group, the teams faced resistance from the PSS (Presidential Security Service) and parliamentarians from the ruling Popular Power party (right), who blocked access to the complex.
Researchers resorted to different strategies, including the use of stairs and nearby trails, to try to enter the residence.
A for interrogations about his attempt to impose martial law. The warrant remains valid until January 21, after a granted last week.
The CIO (acronym in English for Corruption Investigation Office for High-Level Officials), who leads the operation, obtained approval from a military unit for investigators and police officers to enter the residence. However, the PSS challenged the unit’s authority to grant such permission, arguing that additional approval from the service itself was necessary.
The Ministry of Defense supported the PSS’ position, stating that security at the presidential residence must follow strict protocols.
IMPEACHMENT DE YOON
Yoon Suk-yeol has been imprisoned in the presidential residence since he was removed from office by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024. Attempts to detain him gained widespread repercussion and polarized South Korean society.
During the operation, clashes were recorded between supporters and authorities, and a woman required medical attention at the scene.
Meanwhile, parliamentarians from the ruling party accused investigators of acting in a “unfair and illegal”. Yoon’s lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, called the action a “violation of legal principles”.
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