South Korea investigators vow to execute Yoon arrest warrant

South Korean investigators said Wednesday that they would execute an arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law attempt, as the impeached leader's supporters rallied outside his residence.

Supporters and opponents of Yoon, who was suspended from office by lawmakers over his attempt to subvert civilian rule last month, have been camped outside the compound where he has been holed up for weeks, fending off investigators’ efforts to question him.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) requested the warrant after Yoon failed to report for questioning for the third time, but it has been unclear whether they could execute it, as the Presidential Security Service had previously refused to comply with search warrants.

CIO chief Oh Dong-woon said Wednesday that the warrant would be executed "within the deadline," which is Monday, 6 January.

“We aim for a smooth process without major disturbances, but we are also coordinating to mobilize police and personnel in preparation,” he told reporters.

He also warned that anyone attempting to block authorities from arresting Yoon could face prosecution.

“We consider actions such as setting up barricades and locking iron gates to resist the execution of our arrest warrant as obstruction of official duties,” he said.

Anyone engaging in such actions "could be prosecuted under charges of abuse of authority, interfering with the exercise of rights, and obstruction of official duties by special means," he added.

'Illegal and Invalid'

Yoon's legal team described the arrest order as "illegal and invalid" and applied for an injunction to nullify it, with Yoon’s supporters rushing to defend him.

Outside the presidential compound in central Seoul on Wednesday, dozens of Yoon's supporters hurled insults at police.

At one point, some attempted to break through a cordon and block a police bus from parking near the entrance, apparently mistaking it for the mobile force that might be dispatched to detain Yoon.

Police were sent to the area in large numbers and could be seen shouting at protesters to stay in line, but a route in and out of Yoon's residence remained clear.

South Korean officials have previously failed to execute arrest warrants for lawmakers in 2000 and 2004 due to party members and supporters blocking police from entering during the seven-day period the warrant was valid.

Staff Resign

Yoon has been stripped of his presidential duties by parliament and faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

On Wednesday, the majority of Yoon’s remaining staff, including his chief of staff and special advisors, tendered their resignations to the country’s acting president—who rejected them, calling instead for unity.

"This is a time for everyone to come together for the stability of the livelihood of the people and national affairs," acting president Choi Sang-mok said.

The resignations were a show of discontent over Choi’s decision to appoint two new judges to the constitutional court hearing Yoon’s impeachment—meeting a key demand of the opposition, but branded an overstep of the acting leader’s powers by Yoon’s staff.

The suspended president declared martial law in a televised address, saying it was aimed at eliminating “anti-state elements,” but lawmakers rushed to parliament to vote it down.

At the same time, heavily armed troops stormed the building, scaling fences, smashing windows, and landing by helicopter.

A constitutional court will rule whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment.

The turmoil deepened late last week when Yoon’s replacement, Han Duck-soo, was also impeached by parliament for failing to sign bills for investigations into his predecessor.

Choi took office on Friday and found himself thrust immediately into a disaster with the Jeju Air plane crash on Sunday that claimed 179 lives.