Blinken expresses confidence in South Korea’s democratic process as Yoon faces arrest by Reuters

Written by Hyunsoo Yim and Jo Min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean investigators are seeking to extend an arrest warrant for ousted President Yeon Suk-yol, as visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence in the key Asian ally’s handling of political unrest.

Detectives probing Yoon over the martial law he imposed on December 3 failed again on Friday to hand over the arrest warrant, which was blocked by Presidential Security Service guards who formed a human chain to block access to Yoon.

The arrest warrant, the first issued against a sitting president, expires at midnight on Monday (1500 GMT). The Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) intends to seek an extension of the arrest warrant in court on Monday.

Yoon, who was impeached for declaring martial law, is under criminal investigation for possible rebellion.

A six-hour declaration of martial law pushed one of Asia’s most powerful democracies into uncharted territory with the removal of not only Yoon, but also the prime minister who became acting president, and the appointment of a second acting leader.

Yoon’s actions drew a rare rebuke from officials in Washington, including Blinken’s deputy, Kurt Campbell, who said he “severely misjudged.”

Speaking after his meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Blinken said Washington had expressed “serious concerns” to Seoul over some of the actions taken by Yoon during the martial law declaration.

Blinken said at a news conference that the events that have developed since then were a reflection of South Korea’s brand as a democratic success, “which is remarkably strong.”

He added: “The response that we have seen, and that we expect to continue to see, is completely peaceful, consistent, and consistent with the Constitution and the rule of law.”

Yoon was impeached by Parliament on December 14 and suspended from exercising his presidential duties. The Constitutional Court is examining the case to decide whether to remove him from his position permanently or return him to his position.

The CIO, who is leading the investigation into the criminal rebellion against Yoon, sent a notice to the police asking them to take over the execution of the arrest warrant.

A police official told a news conference that police believe there is a legal dispute over such a transfer and will discuss it with the IT director.

Yonhap News Agency quoted a police official as saying that the arrest warrant will now be executed under the authority of the police joint investigation team and the information director.

Yoon’s lawyers argued that the CIO’s anti-corruption force had no authority under South Korean law to investigate any case involving accusations of rebellion.

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer advising Leon, said on Monday that the attempt to delay the implementation of the arrest warrant is actually an admission by the CIO that the investigation and the warrant are “illegal.”

The unprecedented attempt to arrest a sitting president has intensified competing rallies by those who support Yoon, with “Stop the Steal” slogans popularized by voters of US President-elect Donald Trump, and those demanding that Yoon be punished.

A group of hardline Yuen supporters led by Christian pastor Jun Kwang-hun held a press conference on Monday and described the struggle for Yuen as an “international battle” for freedom.

“Unfortunately, there is no Fox News in Korea,” she said in a statement, referring to the American news channel popular with Trump supporters.

John said Yoon’s supporters will continue gathering outside his residence until they “reap results.”