South Korean officials try to arrest President Yeon Sol-yeol: Who is involved?

Accusing a president of wrongdoing is no easy task, but in South Korea it may be more difficult due to the sheer number of law enforcement agencies involved.

President Yeon Sol-yeol has already joined the ranks of South Korean presidents impeached by parliament, as a result of his ill-fated decision to declare martial law in early December. But while the court is considering whether to uphold the decision to impeach him and permanently remove him from power, he is also facing criminal investigations for rebellion on multiple fronts.

This is the first time South Korean officials have attempted to arrest a sitting president. (Mr. Yoon has been suspended and is holed up at his residence, but is technically still in office.) Investigators are negotiating unchartered ground, and the agencies conducting the investigation risk prolonging political unrest in the country if they do not find a way to do so. cooperation.

Then there is the party obligated to protect it.

Here’s a guide to the pitch.

Experts say that the Constitutional Court’s decision may be issued next February. The court faces enormous public pressure to make a quick decision to help resolve the country’s current political impasse.

Any of the court’s findings will not affect Mr. Yoon’s position in the criminal proceedings, and the court can proceed with or without his presence. But some speculate that Mr. Yoon’s lawyers may be hoping that if the court reinstates him, it will be difficult for investigators to bring charges against him.

The Corruption Investigation Bureau launched a long-awaited second operation early on Wednesday to arrest Mr. Yoon, two days after members of the security service were asked not to intervene. By making this request, the office in turn threatened their state pensions and promised them that they would face no consequences if they defied “unlawful orders” from their superiors – including South Korea’s president.