The police are attempting to conduct a raid on the presidential office, with President Yoon Suk-yeol named as a suspect on the warrant for charges related to “rebellion leadership.” This unprecedented move of potentially arresting and detaining a sitting president indicates a serious situation. The police are currently in a standoff with the presidential office after attempting a search and seizure operation this morning, which has lasted for five hours so far.
Initially, the presidential office planned to observe the situation post-impeachment proposal in the National Assembly and potentially engage in legal battles in the Constitutional Court rather than opting for resignation. However, with discussions of possible emergency arrest, the office is urgently developing contingency plans.
The National Investigation Headquarters’ Special Investigation Unit arrived at the Presidential Office’s civil affairs office at 11:45 a.m. to initiate entry procedures for the raid. The targeted areas for the search include the president’s office, a meeting room, the security office, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Eighteen investigators were dispatched by the special unit for the raid, with President Yoon marked as the suspect on the warrant. The lack of prior notification to the presidential office, which contrasts with precedents such as during the Park Geun-hye administration’s probe, has led to tensions. Legalities concerning search operations on locations requiring military secrecy are also being cited as the presidential security office discusses possible physical measures to prevent the raid.
With the president facing historical impeachment and travel ban measures, the legal position is that refusal of search and seizure can only be justified if it seriously damages national interests. The presidential office is preparing for a potential impeachment proposal review by the National Assembly on the 14th, indicating strategic planning to delay proceedings until a Constitutional Court decision.
President Yoon is reportedly staying at the official residence in Hannam-dong following a national address on December 7th. His legal team preparation includes top aides and previous prosecutors, like former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il and the executive office chief of the National Unification Advisory Council, Suk Dong-hyeon.