Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol’s lawyer announced plans to file a complaint with the prosecution, seeking an investigation into the chief of South Korea’s anti-corruption agency and several police officers. This move follows an attempt to execute a warrant for Yoon’s detention related to his martial law case.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) faced a six-hour standoff with the Presidential Security Service last Friday while attempting to execute the court warrant. The CIO withdrew its officials due to safety concerns. Yoon’s defense attorney, Yun Gap-geun, stated that a complaint will be lodged against approximately 150 law enforcement officials, including CIO chief Oh Dong-woon.
Yun indicated that the charges would include obstruction of justice, illegal entry into buildings, and violations of military facility protection laws. The complaint targets senior prosecutors at the CIO, acting National Police Agency Commissioner-General Lee Ho-young, and acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho.
Yoon’s legal team accused these individuals of unlawfully mobilizing police special forces to execute the warrant, asserting they lacked the authority to control police actions. The team also claimed that several members of the Presidential Security Service were injured while attempting to prevent the investigation team from entering Yoon’s military security facility.
Furthermore, Yoon’s representatives argued that the police and defense ministry failed to fulfill their duties by ignoring requests from the presidential security and acting President Choi Sang-mok to enhance security around Yoon’s residence. They emphasized the importance of adhering to orders to maintain the integrity of the presidential security system and national security.
Investigators are reportedly preparing to attempt executing the court warrants again on Monday. The CIO has until the end of Monday to act on the warrant, which could lead to either filing a court warrant for Yoon’s formal arrest or releasing him. They are also considering refiling the detention warrant to extend its validity or pursuing a new warrant for his formal arrest. Yoon has resisted the investigation, arguing that the CIO lacks the legal authority to probe the case.