The police, entrusted by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials with the task related to executing an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, are reportedly in internal review over whether to execute the warrant.
The Corruption Investigation Office announced on the 6th via a press notice, "Last night (5th), we sent an official document to the Korean National Police Agency entrusting them with the execution of the arrest warrant."
The Corruption Investigation Office sent a cooperation request document unilaterally without a prior consultation process with the police, and it is reported that the police are conducting legal reviews on matters such as whether to execute the warrant and to request the warrant again. Specifically, it is known that they are reviewing whether it is problematic for the police to execute an arrest warrant issued to the Corruption Investigation Office, not to the police.
President Yoon's side initially argued that the arrest warrant requested by the Corruption Investigation Office was illegal and invalid, stating, "The Corruption Investigation Office does not have the authority to investigate presidential treason charges, therefore the warrant itself is unlawful." They did not comply with the Corruption Investigation Office's execution of the warrant. Even after reports that the Corruption Investigation Office entrusted the police with executing the arrest warrant, they protested, calling it "another illegal act."
On the expiry date of the arrest warrant, the Corruption Investigation Office stated that it would request the court to renew the validity period of the arrest warrant by reapplying for it.
On the 3rd, a joint task force composed of the Corruption Investigation Office and the police attempted to execute the arrest warrant for President Yoon. However, they had to withdraw without any results as the Presidential Security Service blocked the residence, preventing the execution of the warrant.
During the standoff with the Security Service, there was an opinion within the police that the security chief Park Jong-jun, who was blocking the execution of the warrant, should be arrested as a criminal caught in the act. However, it is reported that the Corruption Investigation Office opposed this, citing the possibility of escalating the situation into a clash.