South Korean investigators enter Yoon’s residence in second attempt to arrest impeached President

According to local media reports, the acting head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) Kim Sung-hoon, has been arrested by the law enforcement officials.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: January 15, 2025 06:33 AM IST

3 min read

Police officers try to enter as the members of the ruling People Power Party try to block them in front of the gate of the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo)

Hundreds of law enforcement officials entered the residential compound of impeached South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol in a second attempt to arrest him over his imposition of martial law last month.

The Yonhap news agency earlier reported that the acting head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) Kim Sung-hoon had been arrested by the law enforcement officials, but a spokesperson for South Korea’s national police agency denied the reports on Wednesday and said that no one had been arrested so far at Yoon’s residence.

The previous attempt to arrest Yoon was foiled by the PSS and since then, Kim had defied multiple orders from the police to be questioned on charges of obstruction.

On Wednesday, the law enforcement officials crossed the three blockades set up at the residence of impeached President Yoon and entered his residence, BBC reported.

Police officers stand in front of the gate of the presidential residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo)

On January 3, the police had tried to detain Yoon from his residence but the six hours long operation was called off as the authorities said the situation was “impossible” citing concerns for their safety.

More than 1,000 anti-corruption investigators and police officers are trying to detain Yoon again on Wednesday as he has been holed up in the Hannam-dong residence for weeks.

South Korean police officers stand in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo)

After the law enforcement officials broke through the third blockade and reportedly entered Yoon’s residence, the lawyers of the impeached prescient approached the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) to negotiate the possibility of “voluntarily appearing in front of the CIO”.

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However, a BBC report quoting local media states that the CIO has rejected the offer to negotiate with Yoon’s lawyers and are still “coordinating” the execution of the arrest warrant.

Also Read | South Korea authorities at President Yoon’s residence to execute arrest warrant

Despite a court warrant to arrest Yoon, the Presidential Security Service has contended that it is their duty to protect the impeached president.

With pro and anti Yoon protesters outside his residence, thousands of law enforcement officials at his residence to detain and the presidential security to defend and resist the attempts of arrest being made, still there were no immediate reports of clashes, AP reported.

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