South Korea investigators seek to extend Yoon’s arrest warrant By Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s anti-corruption agency said on Monday it had asked police to take over the execution of an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, following a failed attempt on Friday to carry out the arrest warrant after a tense standoff with presidential guards who formed a human chain. were drawn up to block investigators’ access.

A joint Corruption Perceptions Office (CIO) and police team is investigating claims that Yoon orchestrated a mutiny during his short-lived martial law.

The CIO has issued a notice to the police to demand takeover, the anti-corruption agency said in a statement to reporters.

The move comes amid frustration among Yun’s critics with the CIO for failing so far to comply with the arrest warrant, which is due to expire at midnight (1500 GMT) on Monday.

A police official told Yonhap news agency that they were “internally reviewing the law” following the CIO’s request.

Yoon’s lawyers argue that the anti-corruption force leading his criminal investigation does not have jurisdiction under South Korean law to investigate any cases of sedition.

Seoul’s Western District Court on Sunday rejected a lawsuit filed by Yun’s legal team seeking to invalidate warrants for the president’s arrest and search of his official residence, Yonhap reported.

Amid continuing political tensions, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is visiting South Korea this week, where he is expected to meet with senior government officials to reaffirm the alliance with Seoul, according to the US State Department.

His visit comes after Yun’s brief declaration of martial law last month plunged South Korea into political chaos, prompting a rare rebuke from Washington officials.

The CIO is an independent agency launched in January 2021 to investigate senior officials, including the president and their family members, but it does not have the authority to prosecute the president.

Instead, the law requires the case to be sent to the prosecutor’s office to take any action, including an indictment, once the questioning is complete.