Show of loyalty: A supporter of Yoon speaking near ceremonial flower wreaths bearing messages near his residence in Seoul. — AFP
the presidential security chief said there must be no bloodshed if investigators attempt to execute another arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed martial law bid.
Yoon has refused questioning and last week resisted arrest in a tense stand-off between his guards and investigators after his short-lived power grab plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.
“I understand many citizens are concerned about the current situation where government agencies are in conflict and confrontation,” Presidential Security Service (PSS) chief Park Chong-jun told reporters yesterday before he was questioned at the Korean National Police Agency.
“I believe that under no circumstances should there be physical clashes or bloodshed.”
Investigators seeking to question Yoon on insurrection charges linked to his ill-fated declaration of martial law secured a new arrest warrant this week after an initial seven-day order expired on Monday.
Several hundred of his supporters have rushed to the presidential residence, braving sub-zero temperatures to defend him.
Rival protests have either called for Yoon’s impeachment to be declared invalid or for him to be detained immediately.
Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested if investigators are able to detain him.
His legal team have said they will not comply with the current warrant.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has declared it would “prepare thoroughly” for the second arrest attempt.
CIO chief Oh Dong-woon has apologised for the failed first arrest attempt, saying he was “heartbroken”.
PSS chief Park has twice ignored police requests to appear for questioning over allegations of obstruction of public duty since his team blocked investigators from arresting Yoon on Jan 3.
Yoon’s guards have been upping security at his central Seoul residence with barbed wire installations and bus barricades.
Yoon’s legal team said yesterday the guards “remain on high alert 24/7” for another arrest attempt “despite immense pressure and stress”. — AFP
