Seoul, Jan 7 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the South Korean Court granted an extension for the warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol concerning his brief imposition of martial law.
The Seoul Western District Court approved the extension that was requested by investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) after the initial warrant had expired on Monday.
Last Friday, the CIO's attempt to enforce the warrant was unsuccessful as presidential security personnel obstructed investigators from accessing Yoon's official residence in central Seoul, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the state anti-corruption agency expressed regret for the failed execution of the detention warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol but assured that they would succeed in the next attempt.
Oh Dong-woon, the CIO's chief, made this statement during a session of the National Assembly's legislation and judiciary committee, offering a genuine apology to the public.
On Friday, the CIO tried to carry out a court-issued warrant for Yoon's detention but had to back down after a standoff with presidential security personnel that lasted over five hours.
In light of criticism that the CIO was unprepared for the warrant execution, Oh stated that there were numerous unforeseen issues and accepted full responsibility.
He indicated that the CIO would prepare thoroughly for the second execution of the warrant, acknowledging that it might be their final opportunity.
Oh criticized Yoon and his office, asserting that obstructing the warrant's execution was akin to undermining the foundation of law and order, an act deserving of severe condemnation.
He also firmly dismissed claims that the CIO lacks the authority to investigate allegations of insurrection, emphasizing that the court's approval of the arrest warrant demonstrated the opposite.
Oh stated, “There are no legal issues,” and added that the CIO's investigative rights have been reinforced multiple times by the court's legitimate issuance of the warrant.
