Lawyers representing impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have strongly criticized attempts to detain him following his brief imposition of martial law. The country's acting leader has expressed apprehension over potential clashes between law enforcement and presidential security personnel.
Anti-corruption officials and police are gearing up for another bid to detain Yoon after a failed attempt last week. The presidential security service has fortified Yoon's compound with barbed wire and vehicles to impede access to his residence.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and police are determined to make a more forceful effort to detain Yoon, warning of potential arrests of presidential security staff if they obstruct the process. The office, in collaboration with police and military, has been seeking Yoon's detention for his alleged rebellion on December 3.
Yoon's legal team has challenged the legitimacy of a new detention warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks the authority to investigate rebellion charges or order police to detain suspects. The lawyers have urged the agency to either indict the president or seek a formal arrest warrant through a court hearing.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party has accused Yoon's lawyers of stalling the process and called for the swift execution of the detainment warrant. Despite a previous standoff between investigators and presidential security forces, police are considering all options to bring Yoon into custody, including the deployment of SWAT teams.
In a government meeting, the acting president emphasized the importance of avoiding injuries or physical clashes during any attempt to detain Yoon. The situation remains tense as the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him following his impeachment on December 14.
