Seoul: Investigators engaged in discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol's team at his residence to coordinate the president's detention and subsequent questioning regarding his brief imposition of martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, these discussions commenced approximately four hours after police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) made a second attempt to execute warrants for searching the presidential residence and detaining Yoon. A CIO official emphasized, "At this point, we are not considering his voluntary appearance and our aim is to execute the warrant."
Unlike the previous attempt, no active resistance was encountered from personnel or the Presidential Security Service (PSS) staff, indicating a smoother process according to the official. Investigators utilized ladders to gain entry into the presidential compound in central Seoul after initially being blocked by a barricade set up by the PSS using vehicles. They also faced obstruction from lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party and Yoon's legal representatives at the entrance.
In an unusual move, some investigators sought access to the compound via a nearby hiking trail. Lawyer Yun Gap-geun criticized the actions as illegal, stating, "This is not a just enforcement of the law."
Additionally, police aimed to detain PSS Deputy Chief Kim Seong-hoon for allegedly hindering the detention efforts. Broadcasts warned that resisting the warrant's execution could lead to arrest.
Approximately 6,500 supporters of the impeached president gathered outside the residence, prompting police to deploy around 3,000 personnel to secure the area amidst physical confrontations. Emergency services were on site to assist a woman who required medical attention.
Earlier attempts to detain Yoon in December were unsuccessful due to a standoff with his security staff. The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrants following Yoon's failure to respond to three summonses for questioning about his martial law attempt on December 3. These warrants remain valid until January 21 after receiving extensions.