Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Investigators vow to execute warrant to detain embattled president
Oh Dong-woon, chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), speaks to reporters at the Government Complex Gwacheon, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
CIO chief warns Yoon's security team to cooperate with court order
The chief of the anti-corruption agency vowed, Wednesday, to execute a warrant to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol by next Monday, urging the president’s security team not to obstruct the agency’s law enforcement efforts.
Oh Dong-woon, the chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), said a joint investigation team will carry out the execution of the warrant "within the valid period," which ends on Monday. However, he did not disclose the exact date.
“We will exercise our rights on warrants for arrest and search in accordance with principles. We aim for a smooth process without major disturbances. We are also coordinating to mobilize the police,” Oh told reporters on his way to work, Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Seoul Western District Court issued a warrant to detain Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing power regarding his martial law decree that was later lifted by the National Assembly.
This was the first warrant issued to detain a sitting president in the nation’s history. With the warrant, investigators can detain Yoon for questioning for up to 48 hours. If they want to arrest him, they have to ask the court to issue an arrest warrant.
The court also approved a warrant to search his residence in Yongsan District, central Seoul, in connection with the investigation.
Oh explained that the CIO requested the detention warrant because Yoon ignored all three summons to appear for interrogation over allegations that he committed insurrection and abused power by declaring martial law illegally and unconstitutionally.
Asked if Yoon will be taken into custody, Oh said, “Nothing has been determined yet. We will decide on that matter after the questioning.”
The head investigator requested the Presidential Security Service to cooperate with the execution of the warrant by investigators, warning that any attempt to block the proceeding to arrest Yoon could amount to abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
“Actions such as refusing to open the door to the presidential residence, locking the gates, setting up a barricade and not complying with the arrest order all count as obstruction of justice,” Oh said. “We will push ahead with legal proceedings even in case of resistance.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol's attorney Yoon Gap-geun speaks to reporters in front of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
It remains to be seen whether the investigators can detain Yoon. In previous attempts, the Presidential Security Service blocked them from entering his office and residence, citing national security concerns.
The presidential security team has already been refusing to comply with searches related to the insurrection charges Yoon is facing, citing Articles 110 (military secrets and seizure) and 111 (public secrets and seizure) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
However, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Western District Court said the detention warrant includes an exception to the application of Articles 110 and 111 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The president’s attorney Yoon Gap-geun rejected the court’s decision.
“Nowhere does the Criminal Procedure Act grant such authority to judges,” Yoon said. “This is a very serious matter that withers public confidence in judiciary matters as it is illegal and invalid. The Supreme Court should quickly investigate the case and immediately remove the judge from his duties."