The political and judicial standoff continues in South Korea. Entrenched in his residence, deposed president Yoon Suk Yeol resists this Thursday for the third day following his arrest. He also promised to “fight until the end” against the authorities who seek to question him about his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The Senior Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is centralizing investigations into the December 3 coup, has until January 6 to execute the arrest warrant issued by a Seoul court. The IOC requested the arrest warrant after the deposed president ignored three consecutive summons to be questioned.
Investigation for “rebellion”
Yoon Suk Yeol stunned his country on the night of December 3 to 4 by imposing martial law and sending the army to Parliament to try to muzzle it, an episode which reminded the country of the dark hours of the military dictatorship. He was forced to back down a few hours later.
Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by Parliament on December 14 and is under investigation for “rebellion”, a crime punishable by death. Since the arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday, supporters and detractors of the president have demonstrated almost constantly near his residence in Seoul, insulting each other over the police officers who separate them.
The 64-year-old former star prosecutor has shown no contrition since his dismissal, going so far as to send a message of distrust to his base. Korea “is currently in danger due to internal and external forces threatening its sovereignty, and the activities of anti-state elements,” he wrote in a letter distributed to his supporters camped near his home. “I swear to fight with you until the end to protect this nation,” he added. A “delusional” message, denounced Jo Seoung-lae, the spokesperson for the Democratic Party, the main opposition force.
Searches prevented
The deposed president, who is not allowed to leave the country, is at his official residence in Seoul. His legal team has filed an appeal against the arrest warrant, arguing that it is “unlawful and invalid.” A court also issued search warrants for the official residence and other locations. But the presidential security service has so far prevented investigators from entering, citing a law prohibiting searches of places containing state secrets without the consent of the person responsible.
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Yoon Suk Yeol is currently suspended, waiting for the Constitutional Court to validate or invalidate the dismissal voted by the deputies by mid-June. He remains on paper the president of the country. Presidential powers are now in the hands of Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who has promised to do everything possible to end the political chaos.