SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean investigators are set to seek an extension of the arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, as political turmoil continues to shake the country. On Friday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once again blocked from serving the arrest warrant due to security guards forming a human chain to protect Yoon. The warrant, the first ever issued for a sitting president, is due to expire at midnight on Monday (1500 GMT). Investigators plan to request an extension of the warrant in court on Monday, as part of an ongoing probe into Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3.
Yoon, who was impeached by the South Korean National Assembly on December 14, is under criminal investigation for possible charges of insurrection related to his actions during the brief martial law period. His declaration of martial law, which lasted for only six hours, triggered an unprecedented crisis in one of Asia’s strongest democracies. The impeachment not only affected Yoon but also led to the suspension of the Prime Minister, who briefly assumed the role of acting president, before a second acting leader was appointed.
The political unrest surrounding Yoon’s martial law declaration has garnered significant attention from the international community. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his visit to Seoul, reaffirmed Washington’s confidence in South Korea’s handling of the political situation. Blinken expressed Washington’s “serious concerns” over Yoon’s actions, including comments from Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell, who described the declaration as a “badly misjudged” move. However, Blinken emphasized the strength of South Korea’s democratic institutions, stating that the country’s response has been “peaceful and fully consistent” with its constitution and rule of law.
“The response that we’ve seen, and that we expect to continue to see, is one that is peaceful and fully consistent and in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law,” Blinken said in a press conference following his meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.
As the Constitutional Court continues to deliberate on whether to remove Yoon permanently or reinstate him, tensions between the political factions have reached a boiling point. The CIO is leading the criminal investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration, with police now expected to take over the execution of the arrest warrant. However, a police official confirmed that there is ongoing legal debate over the transfer of responsibility between the CIO and police.
Yoon’s legal team argues that the CIO’s involvement in insurrection-related investigations is outside its jurisdiction, claiming the probe and warrant are illegal. On Monday, Yoon’s lawyer Seok Dong-hyeon suggested that the push to transfer the arrest warrant’s execution was an implicit acknowledgment of the CIO’s unlawful actions.
The political crisis has sparked intense public debates, with rallies on both sides. Supporters of Yoon, including a group led by Christian pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, have framed the battle for Yoon’s reinstatement as an “international fight for freedom.” Drawing parallels to the “Stop the Steal” movement popularized by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters, these demonstrators have called for greater international support for Yoon. “Sadly, there’s no Fox News in Korea,” a statement from the group read, referring to the American cable network favored by many Trump supporters.
As the legal battle over Yoon’s fate intensifies, the eyes of the world remain on South Korea, where the outcome of this unprecedented political crisis will determine the future of the nation’s leadership and its democratic integrity.
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