South Korean Corruption Investigators Move to Arrest Impeached President

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) announced on Monday that it has asked the defense ministry and the presidential security service to cooperate ahead of the second attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) stated that it had sent letters to South Korea’s defense ministry and the presidential security service late on Sunday, requesting their cooperation. The letters also included a warning of legal consequences in the event of non-compliance.

In its letter to the defense ministry, the CIO warned that any soldier obstructing the execution of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest warrants or interfering with a search of the presidential residence could face criminal punishment.

The letter also mentioned the possibility of claims for damages if there were any human or material harm as a result of such interference.

In the letter to the presidential security service, the CIO similarly warned of consequences for security personnel obstructing investigators’ operations, including the possibility of losing their status as public servants, restrictions on future employment, and loss of pension benefits.

The CIO also assured security service employees that they would not face disadvantages for defying illegal orders to block the execution of the arrest warrants.