South Korean protesters call for President Yoon’s arrest as deadline nears

Protesters in South Korea are calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to be arrested as a warrant expires at midnight on Monday.

The chief of security for Yoon, Park Chong-jun, said Sunday he could not cooperate with the arrest efforts for the impeached leader, citing the legal debate over the warrant, Reuters reported.

“Please refrain from insulting remarks that the presidential security service has been reduced to a private army,” he said in a statement.

The remarks and lack of cooperation for the arrest warrant could push the country’s political crisis toward another confrontation, the outlet reported.

Hundreds of protesters braved freezing temperatures early Sunday near Yoon’s residence, calling for his arrest before the warrant expires.

Investigators and police attempted to execute the warrant against Yoon on Friday, but retreated from his residence after a standoff with the president’s security service, The Associated Press reported.

South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon last month after he briefly declared martial law and thrust the country into chaos.

Yoon apologized after declaring martial law, the first time in the country since 1980. The action sparked outrage from citizens and lawmakers, and the parliament blocked the martial law declaration.

Yoon vowed never to declare martial law again, but the impeachment measure passed with wide support.

Law enforcement authorities requested an arrest warrant for Yoon as they investigate whether his actions amount to rebellion. Authorities confirmed they plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority.

Yoon’s lawyers complained the arrest warrant was illegal and invalid, but a Seoul court rejected it.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to South Korea Sunday to reaffirm the United State’s alliance.