Head of Corruption Investigation Office: "Yoon's Arrest Warrant Executed Within Deadline... Procedures Followed Despite Opposition"

"Security Office: Failure to Comply with Execution Constitutes Obstruction of Official Duties"

Odongwoon, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office, announced on the 1st that the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol will be executed by the 6th.

Yonhap News

On his way to work that day, Chief Oh told reporters, “We will exercise our authority regarding the arrest warrant and search warrant in accordance with principles,” adding, “We are consulting within the Joint Investigation Headquarters (Gongjobon) and will execute it within the deadline.” The arrest warrant is valid until the 6th. However, regarding the scheduled execution date and time, he said, “We cannot disclose it specifically.”

Chief Oh revealed that he sent an official letter to the Presidential Security Service the previous day requesting cooperation for the execution. He said, “We sternly warned that abuse of authority and obstruction of special official duties could be charged,” and added, “Even if there is opposition, we will follow lawful procedures.” He further explained, “So far, there has been no special request for cooperation from the Security Service.” He also stated, “Locking barricades, iron gates, and refusing to comply with the execution of the arrest warrant itself is recognized as obstruction of official duties.”

He also said, “Discussions about investigative authority have been concluded by the court’s decision,” and “(The filing of a constitutional complaint and a provisional injunction suspension request by President Yoon’s legal team) is not considered a lawful remedy procedure as far as I know.”

Chief Oh said, “The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office has diligently investigated the December 3rd insurrection case according to laws and principles,” and “Cooperation has been achieved at the Joint Investigation Headquarters level, and although the president who declared martial law was summoned three times, unfortunately, he did not comply with the summons, so we applied for arrest and search warrants, which were issued by the court.” He added, “I understand there will be gatherings related to the execution of the arrest warrant, but I hope there will not be excessive cheers or excessive opposition. I hope it proceeds without major disturbances.”