South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a renewed and potentially more forceful attempt to arrest him on insurrection charges. The head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Oh Dong-woon, vowed to take all necessary measures to overcome the fortified security surrounding the presidential compound and apprehend the embattled leader.
Protests continued to surge in central Seoul on Wednesday, with demonstrators both supporting and opposing President Yoon defying freezing temperatures. The heightened tension follows a court’s reissuance of an arrest warrant for Yoon, who is currently under investigation for his controversial December 3 martial law declaration. The warrant was issued just a day prior, marking a significant escalation in the country’s political turmoil.
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has responded by reinforcing the perimeter around Yoon’s residence with barbed wire and buses, creating a formidable barrier. Despite these measures, protesters have remained resilient, with both camps rallying near the compound to voice their stances.
Yoon faces insurrection charges stemming from his shocking December 3 martial law bid, which many believe aimed to suppress opposition and consolidate power. This led to the unprecedented issuance of an arrest warrant for a sitting president. Additionally, Yoon is embroiled in a separate Constitutional Court trial regarding his impeachment over the same martial law declaration, which critics argue grossly violated his constitutional duties.
In a statement on Wednesday, Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kap-keun, asserted that the arrest warrant was illegitimate, citing jurisdictional issues. He argued that the CIO lacked the authority to investigate a sitting president, further complicating the legal landscape.
The previous attempt to arrest Yoon ended in failure after a tense six-hour standoff within the presidential compound. The PSS, supported by military guards, formed a human chain that successfully blocked the CIO’s entry. Following this setback, Oh Dong-woon issued a public apology but promised a more determined and thorough approach in the second attempt.
“We’ll do our best to accomplish our goal by thoroughly preparing this time with great determination that the second warrant execution will be the last,” Oh declared during a parliamentary committee meeting. While he refrained from providing details about the timeline for the warrant’s execution, Oh hinted at keeping operational plans confidential to ensure effectiveness.
Speculation is rife about the methods that might be employed in the upcoming arrest attempt. Local media reports suggest various scenarios, including deploying police special tactical units equipped with heavy machinery to dismantle the barricades. This could be followed by over 2,000 police officers tasked with subduing and removing presidential guards. The process might extend over several days, aiming to deplete the resources and stamina of Yoon’s defenders.
Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, believes that the police are well-versed in tactical operations and are likely to succeed in the next attempt. However, he stressed the importance of prioritizing safety, particularly for the protesters, amidst concerns about potential gunfire during any confrontation.
The PSS, along with additional troops assigned to presidential security, has played a critical role in protecting Yoon. During the first arrest attempt, more than 200 PSS personnel, some armed, outnumbered the CIO forces. The standoff included physical altercations but stopped short of a full-scale conflict.
Oh Dong-woon did not dismiss the idea of using stronger measures, including overpowering the security forces, but remained noncommittal about specific tactics. This ambiguity has fueled further speculation about the potential for a high-stakes confrontation.
The ongoing crisis has deeply polarized South Korean society. Supporters of President Yoon argue that the martial law declaration was a necessary measure to maintain stability, while critics view it as an authoritarian overreach that undermined democratic principles.
The political opposition has called for Yoon’s immediate arrest and removal from office, accusing him of gross misconduct. Meanwhile, his supporters have rallied behind him, claiming that the charges are politically motivated.
The controversy has also raised questions about the balance of power in South Korea’s government, with concerns about the CIO’s authority and the judiciary’s role in the unfolding drama. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, given South Korea’s pivotal role in regional stability.
