WNAM MONITORING: The presidential security service blocked a pre-dawn raid Wednesday to detain impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
A joint team of investigators reached the presidential office to execute an arrest warrant against Yoon, but the presidential security service blocked them and the standoff continued.
Some 3,200 police personnel were deployed to secure access to the presidential residence in Seoul to detain Yoon, who has refused to turn himself in.
Yoon’s lawyers have called the arrest warrant “invalid.”
The investigators engaged in “physical clashes” as they tried to enter the presidential residence while police personnel attempted to enter the compound using a hiking trail on the nearby Mount Maebong, Yonhap news reported.
At least one person was injured during the standoff and was transported for treatment.
The authorities previously failed to detain Yoon on Jan. 3 due to security blockades, but now a large-scale operation is underway.
Later, a court extended the arrest warrant, which will now expire on Jan. 21.
Police are using loudspeakers to warn against any hurdles to detain Yoon. Those hindering the execution of the warrant could be arrested.
Tensions were high as thousands of Yoon’s supporters rallied outside his residence, with lawmakers from his People Power Party forming a human chain to block the arrest.
With Yoon’s defense team deeming the arrest warrant “invalid,” the presidential security team is blocking the execution of his arrest.
Police estimates placed the crowd at 6,500 while additional bus barriers were installed by the presidential security service to fortify the residence.
Earlier in the day, the Constitutional Court held its first hearing on Yoon’s impeachment trial. The former president, however, did not appear, leading to an adjournment within four minutes.
Yoon faces charges of insurrection and treason linked to his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, which was quickly overturned by the National Assembly.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok warned against physical clashes between government agencies.
In case of any “unfortunate incident,” he said, “those responsible will be strictly held accountable.”
Separately, parliament resumed early Wednesday, with lawmakers associated with the People Power Party voicing opposition to Yoon’s arrest warrant.
Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to face an arrest warrant as well as a travel ban.
