Unlock Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, editor of the FT, picks her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
South Korean investigators have launched a new attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his failed attempt to impose martial law last month.
The operation, which began shortly after 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, is the second attempt this month by South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Bureau to detain Yoon for questioning on charges of sedition and abuse of power.
An initial move by investigators to arrest Yoon at his presidential compound was thwarted by his security officers after a tense, hours-long standoff earlier this month.
Images released on South Korean television Wednesday morning appeared to show police clashing with pro-Yoon protesters outside the compound, where he has been hiding for several weeks.
According to South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap, police and CIO officials arrived at the compound and presented a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, but were prevented from entering by the presidential security service, which remained loyal to him.
Yonhap also reported that around 30 lawmakers from Yoon’s conservative People Power party were present at the compound and tried to prevent officials from entering.
Yoon’s lawyers insisted that the CIO had no right to press charges of criminal sedition against Yoon.
Last week they warned that an attempt by the police to break into the president’s estate could cause a “civil war”.
This is a developing story.
