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South Korean investigators are trying to arrest President Yoon Seok-yeol as part of an investigation into alleged treason and abuse of power after the failed imposition of martial law last month.
About 30 investigators and 120 police officers from the Senior Officials’ Corruption Investigation Office entered Yoon’s residence in central Seoul early on Friday, according to the state-run Yonhap news agency.
According to YTN News, police clashed with the president’s security personnel. Hundreds of Yin’s supporters rallied outside his official residence, shouting “The impeachment is invalid” and “Protect Yin.”
If arrested, Yoon would become the first sitting South Korean president to be detained.
Mr Yoon’s failed efforts to impose martial law triggered a serious political crisis in South Korea. He was impeached by parliament last month, but the move must be approved by the country’s Constitutional Court.
Yoon is said to have sent troops to the National Assembly to try to prevent lawmakers from rejecting his brief martial law order, and the independent anti-corruption agency is expected to question Yoon over a possible rebellion.
Yoon’s lawyers said on Friday that the agency’s attempt to arrest the president was “illegal and ineffective” and that they would pursue legal action against the move.
On Wednesday, Yoon sent a letter to hundreds of supporters who gathered outside his official residence. “The country is in danger due to anti-national forces. I will fight with you to the end to protect the country.
Under South Korea’s constitution, the president is immune from criminal prosecution unless facing charges of rebellion or treason. Acting President Choi Sang-mok appointed two justices on Tuesday, filling two vacancies on the nine-member Constitutional Court.
The court’s eight current judges will hold a second hearing on Friday to discuss whether to remove Yoon. The court has until June to rule, although that deadline may be extended. Impeaching Yoon requires at least six votes to pass. If he is removed from office, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.
Political turmoil has weighed on South Korea’s economy, which faces higher U.S. tariffs during Trump’s second term in the White House. The government on Thursday cut its growth forecast for this year to 1.8% from 2.2% and is considering an extra budget to boost weak domestic consumption.
Choi on Friday ordered officials to take “quick and bold” steps to stabilize financial markets amid heightened volatility. He said he would continue to meet weekly with senior financial officials, including Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-dye, to monitor market conditions. Syngman Rhee warned on Thursday that downside risks to South Korea’s economy were growing and said the central bank would “flexibly” adjust the pace of interest rate cuts in the face of “unprecedented” political and economic uncertainty.
South Korea’s stock market and currency were among Asia’s worst performers last year, partly due to political chaos, with the KOSPI falling nearly 10% and the won trading near its lowest level since 2009.
