Three Days Since Yoon's Arrest Warrant Issued... Public Corruption Investigation Office Deliberates Execution Timing

Concerns Over Clashes with the Security Office
Possibility of Supporters Gathering on the Weekend
Weekday Enforcement Also Expected

As the arrest warrant against the sitting president, an unprecedented event in constitutional history, enters its third day, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) is weighing the timing of its execution. Although arrest warrants are generally executed immediately considering the confidentiality and promptness of investigations, this case is being carefully deliberated due to the public nature of the procedure, the special status of the president, and the potential conflicts with the Presidential Security Service and supporters.

On the 31st of last month, when the court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, security officials were installing additional barricades in front of the presidential residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to the legal community on the 2nd, since obtaining the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 31st of last month, HOCI has been consulting with the police and others regarding the timing of its execution. The arrest warrant is valid until the 6th. HOCI’s clear position is to execute the warrant within this period.

The Presidential Security Service previously stated, upon the issuance of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, that "security measures related to the execution will be carried out according to lawful procedures." There is a possibility that access to the presidential residence and the execution of the arrest warrant may be blocked under the pretext of security. Additionally, supporters gathered in front of the residence may resort to physical force. Notably, on the 1st, President Yoon made clear his refusal to comply with the arrest warrant execution by sending a one-page letter to his supporters stating he would "fight to the end to protect the country." The fact that HOCI must move to the government complex in Gwacheon after arresting the president also needs to be considered.

HOCI is expected to determine the timing of the execution by taking all these circumstances into account. Some speculate that the execution will take place after the national mourning period ends on the 4th, following the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. However, it is anticipated that many of President Yoon’s supporters will gather at the residence during the weekend of the 4th and 5th. Therefore, it is cautiously predicted that the execution may occur on a weekday.

Separately, HOCI and the police are reportedly considering applying charges such as obstruction of official duties if lawful execution of the arrest warrant is blocked, as well as deploying police officers around the residence. On the 1st, HOCI Chief Oh Dong-woon warned, "Locking barricades and iron gates and refusing to comply with the execution of the arrest warrant itself constitutes obstruction of official duties."