South Korean investigators failed to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, after a nearly six-hour standoff with the Presidential Security Service. South Korea is embroiled in a political crisis in the wake of two consecutive presidential impeachments. In its statement, the country’s anti-corruption agency said it withdrew its investigators after they were prevented from entering Yun’s official residence due to concerns about the safety of its members. It said it expressed serious regret about the attitude of the suspect, who did not respond to due process by law. The office said it would discuss further action, however, it did not immediately disclose whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The warrant for his detention is valid for one week.
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Presidential Security Service blocked entry
The country’s anti-corruption agency said its investigators were barred from entering Yun’s official residence and were recalled due to security concerns. The agency said it deeply regrets the conduct of the suspect who did not follow the procedure laid down by law. Yoon has been thwarting investigators’ efforts to interrogate him for the past several weeks.
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What can be the next action?
A Seoul court issued a warrant to detain Yoon but it is complicated to enforce unless he is at his official residence. Yoon’s lawyers had challenged the warrant. He said that as per law, places containing military confidential documents cannot be searched without the consent of the person in charge. Under the same law, the warrant cannot be served at Yoon’s residence. The office said it would consider further action but did not say whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The warrant for Yoon’s detention is valid for one week. If investigators succeed in detaining Yoon, they will seek court permission for his formal arrest. Otherwise, they will be released after 48 hours.
