Yoon Suk-Yeol Arrest Efforts: South Korean Investigators Seek Help from Security Services
South Korean investigators are intensifying efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol, who faces charges of treason and insurrection related to his declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) has formally requested cooperation from the Ministry of National Defense and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to facilitate the execution of the arrest warrant.
In letters sent late on Sunday, the CIO warned of legal consequences for any personnel obstructing the arrest or search of the presidential residence.
President Yoon has resisted these efforts, with his security personnel previously preventing investigators from detaining him.
A joint team led by the CIO attempted to execute a court-issued warrant on January 3, 2025, but was blocked by Yoon’s security, leading to a five-hour standoff outside his heavily fortified official residence in Seoul.
The political situation remains tense, with Yoon’s supporters expressing concerns over his potential detention, while rival protesters have also gathered, reflecting the deep divisions within South Korean society.