South Korean police make a second attempt to arrest the ousted president as “1,000 policemen” rush to his home in a frantic confrontation.
South Korean officials are trying to arrest President Yeon Suk-yeol for a second time after his failed declaration of martial law.
Yoon, a man wanted over allegations of abuse, has been removed from office power His official residence is soon to be surrounded by 1,000 riot police, according to the BBC.
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Police issue an arrest warrant for the ill-fated president after accusing him of inciting rebellion due to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December.
Authorities first began raiding the Seoul residence at around 5am on Wednesday local time (8pm Tuesday UK time).
They have been met with opposition from the president’s security service and are now said to be engaged in a tense standoff.
Yoon’s staff are said to have been fortified luxury Villa in anticipation of another arrest attempt.
It appears that a large defensive barrier has been built around the gates by stopping buses, vans and buses Cars To close the entrance.
There are also reports of a barbed wire fence.
corruption investigation South Korean cops join CIO investigators to try to find a way into the house.
They were also arguing with columns of ruling party lawmakers over whether the arrest was legal even though there was an arrest warrant for them.
Determined lawmakers even formed a human wall to block investigators.
Yun’s loyal supporters even created their own siege using themselves as human shields.
Leon loyalists made a similar move at the beginning of January when officials first tried to arrest the president.
Hundreds of people pledged to prevent the arrest “with our lives,” with some even chanting, “President Yoon Suk-yeol will be protected by the people.”
The police had to call off the arrest on January 3, after spending hours searching for the hiding president.
Today’s follow-up attempt is scheduled to last hours if investigators are still unable to reach Yoon, who they believe is inside.
Elsewhere, anti-León protesters are also lining the streets and ordering the president’s arrest.
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The crowds chanted, “Arrest him!” BBC.
At least one person in the crowd was injured after falling during the confrontation.
Yoon’s top aide has spent the past few days pleading with police to abandon efforts to forcefully arrest him.
Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jin-sook said Yoon would be open to being questioned instead.
Yoon would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested if the arrest warrant is executed.
Why is Yoon a wanted man?
South Korea’s parliament has been investigating the power grab since it occurred on December 3.
Yoon allegedly asked the defense chief to “break down the doors.” [of the parliament]Even if it means shooting.”
The president declared martial law in a late-night television address that seemed to come out of nowhere.
But the martial law decree was only in effect for six hours when Yoon succumbed to public pressure and mass protests that quickly erupted.
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Elite Special Forces soldiers armed with high-powered rifles had already stormed Parliament and were given permission to open fire.
Seoul residents went to Parliament and protested, forming a human shield against the heavily armed forces.
Brave deputies and employees confronted soldiers with fire extinguishers and built barricades out of office furniture.
Within hours, 190 lawmakers defied troop and police cordons to vote against Yoon’s order.
He told the South Koreans that he needed to liberate the country from North Korean forces trying to “paralyze the basic functions of the state.”
Analysts described Yoon’s decision as a “last-ditch effort” by a “lame-faced president” to advance his agenda.
He was then removed on December 14 in an overwhelming vote that also saw members of his own party vote in his favour.
Despite his impeachment, Yoon declared that he “will not give up” and called on officials to maintain the stability of the government.
What is the South Korea crisis?
South Korea is in completely uncharted territory.
This is the first time a sitting president has faced arrest, so there is no precedent for this situation.
When Yoon was impeached three weeks ago, he was technically stripped of power, but that parliamentary process assumes the president will step down willingly.
The fact that he refused the impeachment order makes it unclear where the authority lies.
The main opposition party said that in future police should arrest anyone who stands in their way.
Complicating the situation further is that Yoon still has a group of fiercely loyal supporters, which maintains some legitimacy for his presidency.
The arrest warrant issued for the president is valid until January 6, so authorities can continue trying to arrest Yoon until then.
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