Seoul: Investigators were locked in a standoff with security personnel at the presidential residence early Wednesday morning in their second attempt to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Officials from the state anti-corruption agency and police presented search and detention warrants against Yoon after they arrived outside his residence in central Seoul but have been blocked by the Presidential Security Service, which has set up a barricade using vehicles near the entrance to obstruct investigators in their attempt.
According to Yonhap News Agency, investigators were also blocked by a group of lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party and Yoon's lawyers at the entrance. Some investigators appeared to attempt to secure access to the compound through a nearby hiking trail. "This is not a just enforcement of the law," Yun Gap-geun, one of the lawyers, said, calling the investigators' attempt "illegal."
Meanwhile, police aired broadcasts warning that any attempt to resist in the warrants' execution could lead to arrest. Large crowds gathered outside the residence, with police initially estimating that around 6,500 supporters of the impeached president were present. In order to secure access to the presidential residence, police have deployed some 3,000 personnel.
Investigators failed to detain Yoon earlier this month after an hourslong standoff with his security staff at the residence where Yoon has been holed up since the National Assembly impeached him on Dec. 14. The Seoul Western District Court earlier issued the warrants against Yoon after he snubbed three summonses from investigators to appear for questioning over his failed attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3. The warrants, which were granted extensions last week after they expired, will remain valid until Jan. 21.