Government crisis: South Korean President Yoon wants to take action against prosecutors

After the failed arrest of suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, he announced legal action against those involved. Yonhap news agency reported that Yoon’s lawyer said he would file a complaint on Monday against around 150 law enforcement officials, including the head of South Korea’s Anti-Corruption Agency (CIO).

Led by the CIO, dozens of investigators tried for more than five and a half hours on Friday to arrest Yoon in order to question him in the case surrounding the brief declaration of martial law in early December. However, around 200 members of the army and security services blocked the authorities on the grounds of the presidential residence.

Yoon missed summons

The background is investigations against Yoon after he briefly declared martial law on December 3rd in a budget dispute with the opposition. Parliament later voted to remove him from office. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing this decision. The current Finance Minister and Vice Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok is temporarily in charge of state affairs.

The allegations against Yoon are abuse of power and sedition. Before the attempted arrest, he had ignored three summonses from the Office for Corruption Investigation. She finally successfully applied to a court for his arrest.

Another arrest attempt on Sunday?

As Yonhap reported, investigators could try to arrest Yoon again on Sunday. If they succeed, they would have 48 hours to question Yoon and decide whether to release him or apply for an arrest warrant against him. In Seoul, numerous Yoon supporters have been demonstrating in front of the presidential residence for days. Opponents of the suspended president also protested in thousands.