Impeached South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol is facing the looming deadline for his potential arrest after anti-graft investigators requested more time to enforce a warrant.
The former prosecutor, who has been accused of a bungled martial law decree last month, has refused questioning on three separate occasions and is holed up in his residence, guarded by hundreds of security personnel to prevent his arrest.
The warrant for Yoon’s arrest, set to expire at 3:00 PM GMT on Monday, may be extended, with investigators seeking support from the police to carry out the operation.
Police have confirmed their readiness to assist but warned that any obstruction to the arrest could result in the detention of personnel from the Presidential Security Service, which is currently protecting Yoon.
The Democratic Party of South Korea has called for the dissolution of the security service, which has fiercely guarded the impeached president.
If Yoon is arrested, he would become the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to face arrest. Once detained, authorities would have 48 hours to either apply for a new warrant or release him.
Yoon could face severe consequences, including imprisonment or even the death penalty, if convicted of insurrection for briefly suspending civilian rule, a move that sparked South Korea’s worst political crisis in decades.
Despite the mounting pressure, Yoon’s supporters remain defiant, with protest organizers vowing to protect the president and continue resistance efforts.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul has been overshadowed by the escalating crisis.
His arrival coincided with North Korea’s missile launch, further complicating the political atmosphere in the country.
As Yoon’s impeachment trial is set for January 14, the outcome of the constitutional crisis remains uncertain.
If Yoon refuses to attend, the trial will proceed in his absence, with the Constitutional Court having up to 180 days to make a ruling on his political fate.
