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Police, anti-corruption agency likely to conduct 2nd attempt to detain Yoon on Wednesday

14 January 2025 19:26 (UTC +04:00)

Police and the anti-corruption agency are expected to again attempt to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as early as Wednesday morning, officials said, APA reports citing Yonhap.

Some 1,000 police officers are set to be deployed to the presidential residence in central Seoul to take Yoon into custody over his short-lived martial law imposition last month, according to the officials on Tuesday. The operation will likely take place at around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), including police personnel, are reportedly bracing for operations that could last up to three days to detain Yoon.

To support the effort, they have purchased loudspeakers, batteries for body-worn cameras and other equipment.

The police said they will do their utmost to avoid a clash with the Presidential Security Service (PSS) officials, but warned they will arrest anyone who attempts to hinder the warrant execution.

Earlier in the day, investigators from the National Office of Investigation, police teams in the wider Seoul area and the CIO met to discuss their plan.

During the meeting, the officials are said to have discussed measures to secure access to the presidential residence in central Seoul, which has been fortified with barbed wire and barricades using vehicles.

The first attempt to execute the warrant on Jan. 3 failed after investigators were in an hourslong standoff with Yoon's security personnel that blocked them from entering the residence.

Earlier Tuesday, the police and the state anti-corruption agency requested the PSS to cooperate in the warrant's execution, but the PSS has suggested it will block the attempt, claiming a forced entry into Yoon's residence would be "illegal" and vowing to respond in line with its security protocols.