The arrest warrant for ousted South Korean President Jung Suk-jeol is only valid until the end of Monday. Investigators are applying for an extension of the warrant and asking for police assistance. He does not rule out the arrest of security service personnel who were protecting Jool, because a few days ago they refused to cooperate with the arrest.
On Friday, investigators from the Corruption Perceptions Office (CIO) were unable to execute an arrest warrant for South Korean President Jung Suk-jeol at his residence. Within six hours, officers were prevented from arresting Yoon by the presidential security service.
SEE ALSO: The military prevented the arrest of the president. The investigators had to give up
Yonhap news agency reported that the Korean police will consider arresting the president’s security personnel if the ousted politician continues to create obstacles.
South Korean President Jung Suk JolToby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images
They want the president to be arrested by the police
At the same time, the CIO investigators requested the police to execute the judicial arrest warrant. Officials also announced their intention to submit an application to extend the order, which will expire at midnight Monday through Tuesday (4:00 p.m. in Poland). Jun’s lawyers argue that the arrest warrant is illegal because the CIO does not technically have the authority to investigate coup allegations.
– The CIO sent us an official letter to cooperate without prior consultation – a police representative admitted to Yonhap news agency. He added that the police will conduct an internal legal analysis of the application.
READ MORE: They want to arrest the president. They appeal to security guards for cooperation
Protesters demand the resignation of President Jung Suk-jeol (photo taken on January 5) EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Unsuccessful arrest attempt
The CIO decided not to arrest Jun last Friday after presidential security officers blocked investigators from entering the politician’s residence in Seoul for hours. At the end of the week, no further efforts were made, and the security services of the head of state announced that they would not cooperate with the government authorities in the implementation of the arrest warrant.
READ ALSO: Who is the president who took the army to the streets out of anger?
South Korea: soldiers prevent police officers from temporarily arresting president Anna Czerwinska/TVN Fact
Since Friday, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of the arrest and impeachment of Jun Suk-Jol have gathered in front of the president’s residence.
The head of military intelligence was accused
Yonhap news agency also reported on Monday that South Korean prosecutors are charging military intelligence chief General Moon Sang-ho with a “key” role in Jun Suk-jeol’s attempt to impose martial law.
Moon was charged among other things. On the evening of December 3, President Yoon read the martial law decree and ordered the soldiers to enter the building of the Central Election Commission in the city of Gwachon, Gyeonggi province.
It was also previously reported that Moon, along with two military intelligence officers and former military intelligence chief Noh Sang-won, discussed the plan to impose martial law while eating hamburgers at a fast-food restaurant two days before the expected decision date.
On December 14 last year, the South Korean parliament passed a motion to impeach Jun for his decision to impose martial law. Investigators are investigating whether the imposition of martial law was an attempted coup. South Korea’s Constitutional Court is expected to decide within 180 days whether to uphold the impeachment or reinstate the former president. The first hearing is scheduled for January 14.
READ ALSO: Six hours of martial law. What was going on in South Korea?
Supporters of President Jung Suk-jeol protest in Seoul following a court order to arrest the head of state Photo on January 2, 2025 PAP/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
