Seoul: The state anti-corruption agency has called on the police to execute a warrant for the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol concerning his failed martial law bid. Both the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the police confirmed this development on Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the CIO formally requested police cooperation in an official letter sent late Sunday, with just a day remaining before the warrant's expiration. A police official stated, "The CIO sent us an official letter requesting our cooperation without prior consultations. We are internally carrying out a legal review."
The CIO had paused its efforts to execute the warrant last Friday following a prolonged standoff with the presidential security staff at the presidential residence. The agency has been collaborating with the police and the defense ministry's investigation unit to conduct a joint investigation into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law on December 3.
As the warrant was set to expire at midnight, options for the CIO included making another attempt to detain Yoon or requesting an extension of the warrant. However, sources indicated that the CIO's request to the police raised concerns within the force, suggesting that the agency was attempting to offload its responsibilities after its passive approach to executing the warrant last Friday.
Yoon's legal team has dismissed the warrant as illegal and invalid, arguing that the CIO lacks the technical authority to investigate the charges of insurrection related to Yoon's martial law decree.