South Korean authorities made a second attempt to apprehend suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence on Wednesday, following his controversial martial law declaration last month.
Approximately 3,200 officers were deployed to Yoon’s Seoul estate, where he has been residing amid a personal security detail, according to Reuters. Video footage shows officers approaching the residence, where numerous supporters had gathered in protest.
Reports indicate officers pushed past some protestors.
A prior attempt on January 3rd was unsuccessful after a six-hour standoff between security personnel.
“As I’ve repeatedly stressed the need to prevent conflict between government agencies,” Acting President Choi Sang-mok stated, “I will hold those responsible accountable should unfortunate incidents occur.”
The arrest has proven challenging due to legal counsel arguing that a warrant is impossible under laws protecting locations potentially containing military secrets from non-consensual searches.
Yoon’s lawyers also denounced the warrant as an illegal attempt to publicly humiliate him.
This marks the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced an arrest warrant. The warrant stems from Yoon’s December 3rd declaration of martial law, prompted by the opposition’s rejection of his legislative agenda.
This action drew widespread condemnation domestically and internationally, surprising observers given South Korea’s typical political norms.
Parliament unanimously rejected Yoon’s declaration and subsequently suspended him on December 14th in a 204-85 vote.
Formal impeachment will follow if the Constitutional Court approves the motion with a three-fourths majority. The court’s next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Reuters contributed to this report.