South Korea’s top anti-graft investigator vows to arrest impeached President Yoon in ‘2nd attempt’

ISTANBUL

South Korea’s top anti-graft investigator apologized on Tuesday for failing to apprehend impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol but promised to succeed in a “second attempt” after fully preparing to execute the arrest warrants.

Oh Dong-woon, the chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), extended a “sincere apology,” saying his team was “inadequately prepared to execute the warrant” and there were “many unforeseen issues,” according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.

Earlier on Friday, the CIO attempted to execute a court-issued warrant against Yoon—facing treason and insurrection charges stemming from botched martial law—but withdrew after a five-hour standoff with presidential security.

However, during a session of the National Assembly’s legislation and judiciary committee, Oh Dong-woon assured lawmakers that the CIO would “prepare thoroughly” for the second warrant execution, with the understanding that it could be the “last opportunity,” the media outlet added.

After presidential security blocked the execution of arrest warrants, the CIO requested a fresh warrant, which is expected to be executed in collaboration with police after the previous one expired on Monday.

This is the first time that an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting South Korean president. Yoon is also the first sitting president in the country’s history to face charges of insurrection and treason, along with a travel ban.

Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14 and is now awaiting a Constitutional Court trial to determine whether he will be permanently removed from office or reinstated following his failed Dec. 3 martial law attempt.

A ruling could take up to six months.

Meanwhile, police on Tuesday summoned the head of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to appear for questioning for the third time over accusations that he had obstructed CIO-led investigators to detain Yoon.

Park Chong-jun, the presidential security chief, was booked on charges of “obstructing official duties” after presidential security personnel prevented the officials from executing a warrant to detain Yoon last Friday, according to the news agency.

He has been summoned to appear for questioning on Friday after failing to respond to two previous calls on Saturday and Tuesday.

The PSS earlier said in a press release that Park has yet to appoint a lawyer, adding, “It is difficult for Park to appear today as he has not yet appointed legal representation.”However, it added, “He will coordinate the date for questioning after appointing a lawyer today or tomorrow.”

This is believed to be the final call before the police move to request a warrant for Park’s detention.

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