South Korea's President faces arrest request as anti-corruption agency calls in police – AP
Photo: President Yoon Suk Yeol (Getty Images)
South Korea's anti-corruption agency requested police assistance in detaining President Yoon Suk Yeol after investigators failed to arrest the head of state on Friday, the Associated Press (AP) reports.
The agency and police confirmed the discussions just hours before the one-week arrest warrant for Yoon's detention was set to expire.
In addition, the police indicated that the Corruption Investigation Office is likely to seek a new judicial warrant to extend the detention period of the suspended South Korean President. However, it remains unclear whether the anti-corruption agency will make another attempt to arrest Yoon on Monday before the warrant expires.
The agency faced questions regarding its jurisdiction after Friday's unsuccessful attempt to detain Yoon at his residence, which resulted in a standoff with the President's security service.
According to AP, last Tuesday, the Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon and a separate warrant to search his residence. This followed the President's refusal to appear for questioning regarding his failed decree to impose martial law in the country on December 3.
The President described his seizure of power as a necessary act of governance against the liberal opposition, which he claimed was obstructing his agenda with its legislative majority. He vowed to "fight to the end" against his removal. Although the martial law lasted only a few hours, it set off turmoil.
Meanwhile, in response to the latest developments, Yoon's legal team declared the anti-corruption agency's delegation of authority to the police for his arrest illegal. They argued that there was no legal basis for delegating parts of the investigation process to another agency. Following this, Yoon's lawyers filed an appeal against the warrants, but the Seoul Western District Court rejected the appeal on Sunday.
On December 27, South Korea's Constitutional Court began reviewing the case for Yoon Suk-Yeol's impeachment after parliament suspended him.
Since that day, the court has 180 days to either reinstate or permanently remove Yoon from office. If the latter outcome occurs, new presidential elections will be held in the country within 60 days.
