Suspended South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of rioting stemming from last month's ill-fated declaration of martial law.
Yoon's detention was reported on Wednesday by Yonhap News, one of the country's largest news organizations. The arrest warrant, which was originally requested for his failure to appear for questioning, has been issued since December 31st.
Police deployed about 3,200 officers to the president's vast hillside mansion in Seoul, where he spent weeks in hiding surrounded by personal security, Reuters reported.
Reuters said the video showed police approaching Yun's home, where hundreds of his supporters had already gathered to protest on his behalf. Earlier, they were reportedly seen pushing the group away.
Impeached South Korean president avoids arrest after hours-long standoff
A previous attempt to capture Yun was called off on January 3 after a six-hour standoff between military guards and the president's security staff.
“As I have repeatedly emphasized the need to prevent physical conflict between state institutions,” Acting President Choi Sang-mok said in a statement Wednesday. “If an unfortunate incident occurs, we will strictly pursue responsibility.”
Authorities are making their second attempt to detain suspended South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol following the declaration of martial law last month. (South Korean presidential office, via AP, file)
Enforcing an arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon has proven difficult for law enforcement authorities, with the president's legal adviser warning that under a law that prohibits nonconsensual searches of locations that may be related to military secrets, the warrant for his arrest has proven difficult. They argue that it is impossible to enforce.
Mr. Yoon's lawyers also denounced such warrants as an illegal means of publicly humiliating him.
Political crisis deepens, arrest warrant issued for impeached South Korean president
This is the first time in history that an arrest warrant has been issued against a sitting South Korean president. Yun's warrant stems from his declaration of martial law on December 3, in apparent frustration with the opposition-dominated parliament's refusal to pass key measures on his political agenda. .
The move was condemned both in South Korea and abroad, with analysts expressing shock at the sudden and unprecedented move in what is typically one of Asia's most stable democracies.
Police officers can be seen approaching the official residence of suspended President Yun Seok-yeol in Seoul, South Korea, along with investigators from the High-level Corruption Investigation Office. (Reuters/Kim Hongji)
The National Assembly unanimously rejected Yun's declaration, and then suspended him from office on December 14 by a vote of 204 to 85, which included members of his own party.
If the Constitutional Court supports this motion with a three-quarters majority, Yoon will be formally impeached.
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The court's next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Reuters contributed to this report.
