Tension seems to be mounting in South Korea as investigators issued a strict warning to Yoon Suk Yeol‘s supporters, who are trying to block them from arresting the impeached president.
The investigators said to Yeol’s supporters gathered outside his house in Seoul that they “could be prosecuted” if they tried to be a hindrance in the execution of the arrest warrant.
“We consider actions such as setting up various barricades and locking iron gates to resist the execution of our arrest warrant as obstruction of official duties,” Oh Dong-woon, chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for high-ranking officials was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.
Why is Yeol in trouble?
South Korean investigators on Tuesday announced that a court issued an arrest warrant for suspended and impeached president Yeol in connection with his brief attempt to declare martial law in the country.
The Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol after investigators sought charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning,” the statement said. “No schedule has been set for future proceedings,” it added.
Investigators pursuing charges against Yoon Suk Yeol for his martial law declaration requested an arrest warrant on Monday after the suspended president failed to appear for questioning for the third time.
Yoon’s brief suspension of civilian rule earlier this month triggered South Korea’s most severe political crisis in decades.
Parliament subsequently stripped him of his presidential duties, and a constitutional court is yet to decide on finalising his impeachment. The conservative leader also faces charges of insurrection, which could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The court issued the arrest warrant approximately 33 hours after it was filed, reportedly the “longest time in history for a warrant hearing,” suggesting extensive deliberation on the matter.
