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South Korean investigators attempt to arrest impeached president

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South Korean investigators are trying to arrest President Yoon Suk-yul as part of an investigation into allegations of treason and abuse of power after his failed attempt last month to impose martial law.

State-run Yonhap News Agency reported that about 30 investigators from the Corruption Investigation Bureau for Senior Officials and 120 police officers entered Yoon’s residence in central Seoul early Friday. She added that the head of the Presidential Security Service did not allow investigators and police to search Yoon’s home.

Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside his residence and chanted, “The trial is a mistrial” and “Protect Yoon.”

And if he is arrested yon He will be the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested.

Yun unleashed a severe political crisis in South Korea With his failed attempt to impose martial law. Parliament removed him last month, but this step requires the approval of the country’s Constitutional Court.

The independent anti-corruption agency is expected to question Yoon over a possible rebellion after he sent troops to the National Assembly in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from rejecting his short-lived martial law decree.

Yoon’s lawyers said on Friday that the agency’s attempt to arrest the president was “illegal and invalid” and that they would take legal action against the move.

The court issued the arrest warrant this week after Yoon refused to respond to repeated summons for questioning. If he is arrested, he will be questioned by investigators and remain in the detention center for two days before the CIO releases him or charges him with treason.

On Wednesday, Yoon sent a message to hundreds of his supporters who gathered outside his residence. The country is in danger due to anti-state forces. “I will fight until the end to protect the nation with you,” he wrote.

Under South Korea’s constitution, the president is immune from criminal prosecution, except when facing charges of rebellion or treason. Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday appointed two judges to the Constitutional Court, filling two vacant seats on the nine-member court.

The court’s eight justices will hold a second hearing on Friday on whether to remove Yoon from office. The court has until June to reach a ruling, although that deadline could be extended. At least six votes are needed to approve Yoon’s removal. If he is removed from office, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.

The political turmoil has affected South Korea’s economy, which faces the possibility of higher US tariffs starting from Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. The government on Thursday revised down its growth forecast for this year to 1.8 percent from 2.2 percent, and is considering setting an additional budget to boost sluggish domestic consumption.

Choi on Friday ordered officials to take measures to stabilize financial markets “quickly and boldly” in case of increased volatility.

He said he would continue to meet with high-ranking financial officials, including Bank of Korea Governor Ri Chang-yong, every week to monitor market conditions. On Thursday, Ri warned of growing downside risks to the South Korean economy and said the bank would be “flexible” with the pace of interest rate cuts in the face of “unprecedented” political and economic uncertainties.

South Korean stocks and the currency were among the worst performers in Asia last year, partly due to political chaos, with the KOSPI stock index down nearly 10 percent and the won trading near its lowest level since 2009. The KOSPI was trading up 1.7 percent. 100 on Friday morning.

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2025-01-03 00:52:00

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