SEOUL, Jan 1, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - South Korean investigators said Wednesday 
they would execute an arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration 
of martial law by the deadline of January 6, as the impeached leader's 
supporters rallied outside his residence.

Supporters and opponents of Yoon, who was suspended from office by lawmakers 
over his attempt to subvert civilian rule last month, have been camped 
outside the compound where he has been holed up for weeks, fending off 
investigators' efforts to question him.

The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) requested the warrant after Yoon 
failed to report for questioning a third time, but it has been unclear 
whether they could execute it as the Presidential Security Service have 
previously refused to comply with search warrants.

CIO chief Oh Dong-woon said Wednesday the warrant would be executed "within 
the deadline", which is on Monday, January 6.

"We aim for a smooth process without major disturbances, but we are also 
coordinating to mobilise police and personnel in preparation," he told 
reporters.

He also warned that anyone trying to block authorities from arresting Yoon 
could themselves face prosecution.

"We consider actions such as setting up various barricades and locking iron 
gates to resist the execution of our arrest warrant as obstruction of 
official duties," he said.

Anyone doing this "could be prosecuted under charges of abuse of authority 
interfering with the exercise of rights and obstruction of official duties by 
special means", he added.

Yoon's legal team described the arrest order as "illegal and invalid" and 
applied for an injunction to nullify it, with Yoon's supporters rushing to 
defend him.

Outside the presidential compound in central Seoul Wednesday, dozens of Yoon 
supporters hurled vitriol at police.

At one point, some attempted to break through a cordon and block a police bus 
from parking near the entrance -- apparently mistaking it for the mobile 
force that may be dispatched to detain Yoon.

Police were sent to the area in large numbers and could be seen yelling at 
protesters to keep in line, but a route in and out of Yoon's residence 
remained clear.

South Korean officials have previously failed to execute arrest warrants for 
lawmakers -- in 2000 and 2004 -- due to party members and supporters blocking 
police from entering for the seven-day period the warrant was valid.

- Staff resign -

Yoon has been stripped of his presidential duties by parliament and faces 
criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or 
even the death penalty.

On Wednesday, the majority of Yoon's remaining staff, including his chief of 
staff and special advisors, all tendered their resignations to the country's 
acting president -- who rejected them, calling instead for unity.

"This is a time for everyone to come together for the stability of the 
livelihood of the people and national affairs," acting president Choi Sang-
mok said

The resignations were a show of discontent over Choi's decision to appoint 
two new judges to the constitutional court hearing Yoon's impeachment -- 
meeting a key demand of the opposition, but branded an overstepping of the 
powers of the acting leader by Yoon's staff.

The suspended president declared martial law in a televised address, saying 
it was aimed at eliminating "anti-state elements" but lawmakers rushed to 
parliament to vote it down.

At the same time, heavily armed troops stormed the building, scaling fences, 
smashing windows and landing by helicopter.

A constitutional court will rule whether to uphold Yoon's impeachment.

The turmoil deepened late last week when Yoon's replacement, Han Duck-soo, 
was also impeached by parliament for failing to sign bills for investigations 
into his predecessor.

Choi took office on Friday and found himself thrust immediately into a 
disaster with the Jeju Air plane crash on Sunday that claimed 179 lives.