Tension Mounts in Hannam-dong Over 'Yoon Arrest Warrant Reissuance'... Fears of Physical Clashes Emerge

Impeachment Supporters and Opponents Resume Overnight Rally in Front of Residence
Security Office Fortifies Official Residence with Barbed Wire and Barricades
Police Special Forces Deployed... Armored Vehicles and Helicopters May Be Used
Siege-Like Situation Raises Concerns Over Casualties if Physical Clashes Occur

Tension is rising near the presidential residence as an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol has been reissued. There are even concerns about a physical clash reminiscent of a ‘siege battle’ between the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) preparing for a second execution of the warrant at all costs and the Presidential Security Service, which has fortified the residence like a fortress.

At around 7 a.m. on the 8th near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Despite the biting cold of minus 5 degrees Celsius, riot police set up police lines in some areas near the residence, including in front of the International Lutheran Church and Hannam Elementary School. Following the news of the reissuance of the arrest warrant the previous day, Hannam-dong is once again unsettled. About 500 supporters of President Yoon gathered in front of the International Lutheran Church, wrapped in foil blankets and draped with Taegeukgi flags, chanting slogans such as "Protect the President" and "Arrest Odongun, head of the CIO." In front of Hannam Elementary School, Taegeukgi flags and signs reading "Oppose Impeachment" were also waving.

On the morning of the 8th, participants of the pro- and anti-impeachment rallies are confronting each other across a barricade set up by the police near the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

Civilians calling for President Yoon’s impeachment were also stationed near Hannam Elementary School with tents. They raised their voices with slogans like "Yoon Suk-yeol, come out immediately and face investigation" and "Vacate the room and go to jail." Participants in the pro- and anti-gatherings came close to clashing across the barricades set up by the police. When the president’s supporters shouted, "What will happen by just standing there like that?" the pro-impeachment participants yelled back, "You are accomplices to rebellion." When the pro-impeachment group tried to move their gathering location, the president’s supporters shouted, "Finally, they are running away."

The CIO, which obtained the second arrest warrant from the court, is currently negotiating with the police regarding the timing of the execution and the scale of personnel to be mobilized. Having already failed to execute the warrant once and facing doubts about its investigative will and capability, the CIO is now in a position with no room to retreat. It even tried to pass the execution responsibility to the police but was refused. Odongun, head of the CIO, said during a recent National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee inquiry, "It pains me deeply to see the rule of law being undermined. I sincerely apologize to the people," adding, "We will prepare thoroughly with an extraordinary resolve that the second execution will be the last."

However, whether the CIO will succeed in executing the arrest warrant remains uncertain.

The Presidential Security Service has significantly strengthened security around the residence, stating that it "cannot comply with the execution of an unlawful warrant." Following the installation of circular barbed wire around the walking paths near the residence last weekend, sharp circular barbed wire about 50 to 60 cm in diameter was newly installed at the residence’s entrance and outer walls. Additionally, the main gate of the official residence area was blocked with seven large buses, entering a ‘siege battle’ defensive posture. Vehicles equipped with functions to neutralize drones were also deployed throughout the residence area.

During the first execution attempt, the CIO failed to breach the security service’s defense due to inadequate preparation and had to return empty-handed. For the second execution, it is expected to receive support from significantly more personnel. During the first execution on the 3rd, although not all personnel were deployed on-site, 45 riot police units totaling about 2,700 officers were mobilized.

The police are maintaining strict security regarding the execution of President Yoon’s arrest warrant and are reportedly considering deploying the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s elite anti-terror unit, the Police Special Forces. There is a high possibility that the on-the-spot arrest of Presidential Security Service staff on charges of obstructing official duties, which failed during the first execution on the 3rd, will be forcibly carried out during the second execution. Led by opposition parties, there are even calls for deploying armored vehicles and helicopters to break through the security service’s defensive shield. If realized, the risk of casualties would be high.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a third summons to Park Jong-jun, head of the Presidential Security Service, who did not respond to the second summons, ordering him to appear for investigation on the 10th. It is also expected that the police will obtain an arrest warrant for Park and move to secure his custody.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.