South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a renewed effort to arrest him for insurrection, as a top investigator is determined to break through the security measures surrounding the presidential compound to apprehend the impeached leader.
Acting president Choi Sang-mok has called on authorities to execute the arrest warrant for Yoon without causing harm to citizens or engaging in physical conflicts between government agencies. Supporters and opponents of Yoon gathered in freezing temperatures to demonstrate near the presidential compound following the re-issuance of the arrest warrant.
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has been reinforcing security around the compound with barbed wire and barricades, using buses to block access to the hillside villa where Yoon resides. Yoon is facing criminal investigation for insurrection due to his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3, which led to the first arrest warrant for a sitting president in South Korea.
Yoon is also facing an impeachment trial in the Constitutional Court. His legal team has raised objections to the arrest warrant, stating that it was issued by a court in the wrong jurisdiction and the investigating team had no authority to arrest the president.
The head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) issued an apology for the failed attempt to arrest Yoon last week and expressed determination to carry out the arrest this time. The CIO is preparing to execute the warrant, but the specific timeframe for the operation was not disclosed.
Various strategies are being considered to overcome the security measures at the compound, including mobilizing police special tactical units and utilizing cognitive warfare techniques to persuade the PSS agents to cooperate. Safety is a top priority in planning the operation to avoid any potential clashes or violence.
While police have the advantage in terms of resources, including helicopters and tactical units, the focus should also be on non-violent approaches to resolve the situation. The goal is to ensure a peaceful and successful arrest of President Yoon without endangering the lives of protesters or security personnel.
