The South Korean police have rejected, this Monday, January 6, the official request of the Corruption Investigation Office of High-ranking Officials (CIO) to execute the arrest warrant against the ousted president , Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision has generated intense debates in South Korean society. The move responds to alleged legal issues in the official letter sent by the CIO, related to the implementation of the controversial martial law under Yoon.
The CIO had forwarded the request to the police on Sunday night, January 5, just hours before the arrest warrant expired. The order had been issued in the context of an investigation into the establishment of a short-lived martial law during the political crisis that shook the country.
The legal reasons for rejection
At a press conference on Monday morning, Baek Dong-heum, a senior agent in charge of the investigation into the martial law decree, explained the reasons behind the decision. “After conducting an internal legal review, we determined that the official CIO letter regarding enforcement command raised a legal dispute,” the agent stated. In addition, he noted that the police will continue to consult with the CIO regarding the execution of the order.
Baek did not specifically detail the legal problems found in the investigation office’s request, but stressed that the relevant authorities are committed to maintaining inter-institutional cooperation to clarify the facts. “We will continue to consult with the CIO and other parties involved in this case to ensure a fair and transparent investigation,” he added.
The police, the CIO and the Ministry of Defense strengthen cooperation in the investigation of the case
Another police officer, who requested anonymity, confirmed that police and CIO officials held telephone conversations on Monday morning. Both sides agreed to preserve the operation of the joint investigation team, which also includes a unit from the South Korean Defense Ministry.
“The joint investigation team will continue to work on this case. “The execution of the arrest warrant and the course of the investigation will be decided through close consultations between the CIO, the Police and the Ministry of Defence,” the agent said.
Failed attempt to arrest Yoon Suk Yeol intensifies tensions in South Korea
What happened to martial law?
Yoon Suk Yeol’s case is related to the imposition of martial law during his term, a decision that sparked controversy among the population and accusations of abuse of power. Martial law, although brief, was implemented in a context of extreme political tension and its critics argue that it was used as a means to consolidate power illegitimately.
The CIO, created to investigate corruption among high-ranking officials, considered that there was sufficient evidence to justify issuing an arrest warrant against the former president. However, the short term to act, the resistance to collaboration on the part of certain sectors and the interpretive differences between the agencies have complicated the process.
The debates sparked by the police decision
As briefly mentioned above, the police decision has provoked mixed reactions among political leaders and the public. Opposition parties have criticized the apparent unwillingness to enforce the court order and accused authorities of allowing political considerations to interfere with the legal process.
On the other hand, Yoon’s defenders have argued that the arrest warrant is an attempt at political persecution and that the police acted correctly by not proceeding without first resolving the legal doubts.
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