Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) announced Monday, January 13 that it has requested the defence ministry and the Presidential Security Service to cooperate ahead of its second attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
According to the country’s official Yonhap News Agency, the
CIO sent official letters late Sunday urging compliance and cautioning against
potential legal consequences for non-cooperation.
In its letter to the defence ministry, the CIO warned that
„any soldier obstructing the execution of arrest warrants or searches of the
presidential residence could face criminal charges or claims for damages if
human or material harm occurs.”
A similar warning was issued to the Presidential Security
Service. The CIO cautioned that personnel hindering investigators could face
loss of public servant status, restrictions on rehiring, and limitations on
pension benefits.
However, the CIO assured that security service employees
defying illegal orders to block the execution of warrants would not face
penalties or disadvantages.
For weeks, Yoon has barricaded himself in his exotic
hillside compound in the capital Seoul, surrounded by his Presidential Security
Service team, while outside the gates hundreds of his die-hard conservative
supporters have vowed to protect him.
Yoon maintains he acted legitimately in declaring martial
law and considers the warrant “illegal and invalid.” He has told his supporters
that he will “fight until the end.”
Supporters are concerned Yoon will be detained if he leaves his residence to attend the impeachment hearings.
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