Concerns grow over potential clashes as another attempt to arrest Yoon looms

By Im Yoon-seo Posted : January 14, 2025, 15:10 Updated : January 14, 2025, 15:16
 
An official arrives at the National Office of Investigation (NOI) in Seoul on Jan. 14, 2025. Yonhap
SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) - The arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol appears imminent, as investigators are expected to make another try this week after the failure of their initial attempt earlier this month.

Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials reportedly plans to mobilize about 1,000 police officials in cooperation with the National Office of Investigation (NOI) for their upcoming attempt to arrest Yoon over his botched martial law debacle last month.

With speculation mounting that the attempt could occur as early as Wednesday, COI investigators and NOI officers held talks with Yoon's security personnel, who have vowed to prevent their entry to his official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

The meeting came just a day after police requested cooperation from Yoon's security officials, as Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed concerns about potential clashes and physical confrontations. Choi urged the previous day, "Under no circumstances should violent means or methods be used."

However, both sides failed to narrow their differences, and the meeting ended after about an hour.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff, suggested questioning Yoon at specific locations rather than arresting him, allowing him to "defend himself."

The presidential office is "ready to consult with the CIO and police with all options open for questioning," he added.

But Yoon's legal representatives dismissed Chung's idea, saying that it was made without prior discussions with the president.

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