Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a defiant address to his conservative supporters gathered outside his Seoul residence, pledging to “fight to the end” against what he described as “anti-state forces,” amid preparations by law enforcement to detain him over last month’s martial law decree.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials has a week to enforce the detainment warrant for Yoon, issued by a Seoul court on Tuesday. The warrant followed Yoon’s repeated refusals to attend questioning sessions and his obstruction of office searches, impeding an investigation into whether his brief power grab on December 3 constituted rebellion.
Oh Dong-woon, chief prosecutor of the anti-corruption agency, suggested that police might be deployed if Yoon’s security service resists the detention effort, which could happen as early as Thursday. However, it remains uncertain whether Yoon can be compelled to submit to questioning.
Yoon’s legal team issued a statement on Thursday, cautioning that any attempt by the anti-corruption agency to use police units for his detention would overstep their legal authority. The lawyers further warned that police officers could be arrested by either the “presidential security service or any citizens” if they attempt to detain Yoon.
Addressing hundreds of supporters on Wednesday evening, Yoon reiterated his commitment to fighting against anti-state forces “violating our sovereignty” and endangering the nation. He commended his supporters for safeguarding the country’s “liberal democracy and constitutional order,” and noted he was following their protests through live YouTube broadcasts, according to a photo of his message shared by his lawyers.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which spearheaded the legislative vote that impeached Yoon on December 14 over the martial law imposition, accused the president of rallying his supporters to obstruct his detention and urged law enforcement to execute the warrant promptly.
On Thursday morning, a growing number of Yoon’s supporters assembled near his residence amid a heavy police presence, waving South Korean and American flags and displaying signs opposing his impeachment.
Yoon’s lawyers contend that the court’s detainment warrant is “invalid,” arguing that the anti-corruption agency lacks the legal authority to investigate rebellion charges. They also accuse the court of bypassing a law that prohibits the seizure or search of locations potentially linked to military secrets without the consent of the person in charge.
Some experts believe the anti-corruption agency, leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities, would avoid a confrontation with Yoon’s security service, which has pledged to provide security to Yoon according to the law. The office may issue another summons for Yoon to appear for questioning if the detainment warrant cannot be executed by January 6.