South Korea is currently embroiled in a high-stakes political drama as authorities attempt to detain the top aide of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over last month's martial law imposition. The presidential chief of staff has pleaded with law enforcement to reconsider their efforts to detain Yoon, suggesting alternative locations for questioning. However, the president's legal team has indicated that they are not currently planning to make him available for questioning.
Yoon Suk Yeol has remained holed up in his official residence in Seoul for weeks, with a recent standoff preventing investigators from detaining him. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and police are planning a more forceful attempt to detain Yoon as they investigate his brief martial law declaration on Dec. 3.
The National Police Agency has convened meetings to plan the detainment efforts, with speculation that over a thousand officers could be deployed. Authorities have warned that presidential bodyguards obstructing the warrant execution could face arrest.
The presidential residence has been fortified, and there are concerns about potential clashes between authorities and the security service. Thousands of citizens have gathered in support of Yoon, raising fears of a possible conflict between police and citizens.
Yoon's lawyers have warned that any attempt to detain him forcefully could trigger a backlash and deepen the country's existing divisions. Yoon's presidential powers were suspended following his impeachment on charges of rebellion, with his fate now in the hands of the Constitutional Court.
