The arrest warrant for deposed South Korean President Jun Suk Jeol is valid only until the end of the day on Monday. Investigators apply for an extension of the warrant and ask the police for help. She does not rule out arresting members of the security services protecting Jeol, because a few days ago they refused to cooperate with the arrest.
On Friday, investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office of Senior Officials (CIO) failed to execute an arrest warrant for South Korean President Jun Suk Jeol at his residence. For six hours, the officers were prevented from detaining Jun by the presidential security service.
The Yonhap news agency reported that Korean police will consider arresting members of the presidential security if they once again impede the arrest of the ousted politician.
South Korean President Jun Suk JeolToby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images
They want the president arrested by the police
At the same time, CIO investigators asked the police to execute the court arrest warrant. Officials also announced their intention to submit an application to extend the order, which will expire at midnight from Monday to Tuesday (4 p.m. in Poland). Jun's lawyers maintain that the arrest warrant is unlawful because the CIO does not technically have the authority to investigate coup allegations.
– The CIO sent us an official letter asking for cooperation without prior consultation – a police representative admitted to Yonhap news agency. He added that the police are conducting an internal legal analysis of this application.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Jun Suk Jeol(photo from January 5)EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Failed arrest attempt
The CIO decided not to arrest Jun last Friday because presidential security officers prevented investigators from entering the politician's residence in Seoul for many hours. Over the weekend, no further attempts were made, and the head of state's security services announced that they would not cooperate with state authorities in executing the arrest warrant.
South Korea: Soldiers prevented police from arresting the suspended presidentAnna Czerwińska/Fakty TVN
Since Friday, tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of Jun Suk Jeol's arrest and impeachment have been gathering near the president's residence.
Chief of military intelligence indicted
On Monday, Yonhap news agency also reported that South Korean prosecutors indicted the head of military intelligence, General Mun Sang Ho, in connection with his “key” role in Jun Suk Jeol's attempt to impose martial law.
Mun was accused of, among other things, giving an order to soldiers to enter the building of the Central Election Commission in the city of Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province right after President Jun read the decree on martial law on the evening of December 3.
It was also previously revealed that Mun – along with two military intelligence officers and former military intelligence chief Noh Sang Won – discussed plans to impose martial law while eating hamburgers at a fast food restaurant two days before the expected date of the decision.
On December 14 last year, South Korea's parliament passed a motion to impeach Jun over his decision to impose martial law. Investigators are investigating whether the imposition of martial law was an attempted coup. South Korean Constitutional Tribunal is to decide within 180 days whether to approve impeachment or reinstate the former president to his position. The first hearing is scheduled for January 14.
Protest by supporters of President Jun Suk Jeol in Seoul after the court's decision to arrest the head of statePhoto from January 2, 2025PAP/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN