South Korean Police Attempt to Search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Office Amid Martial Law Investigation

South Korean police attempted to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on Wednesday, but they were unable to enter the main building, according to Yonhap News. This move is part of an ongoing investigation into Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which has led to a constitutional crisis in the country.

The investigation has escalated, with President Yoon now facing criminal allegations related to insurrection. He has been banned from leaving the country, though he has not yet been arrested or questioned by authorities. A presidential security service official confirmed that a police raid was underway, but Yonhap later reported that investigators had not been able to access the main presidential building. Disagreements between the police and the Secret Service about the method of the search have been cited as the reason for the delay.

As the investigation widens, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a close ally of President Yoon, and two senior police officers, including the national police chief, have been arrested on charges related to insurrection. Kim, who is being held in a detention center, reportedly attempted suicide on Tuesday night but is now under medical observation and is in stable condition. Kim has taken responsibility for the emergency declaration, resigning and apologizing for his actions.

Yoon’s martial law decree, which briefly plunged the country into chaos, was later rescinded after lawmakers, including members of his own party, voted to demand its cancellation. Yoon, who has not been seen publicly since Saturday, is now under intense scrutiny. There have been allegations that he ordered troops to prevent lawmakers from voting to reject the martial law decree. These accusations were confirmed by military officers, including Kwak Jong-geun, the commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, who revealed that Yoon had instructed the military to enter the parliament and forcibly remove lawmakers.

Yoon’s political situation has become increasingly unstable. The president’s office has refused to clarify who is in charge of the country, leading to further confusion and calls for his resignation. Some members of his party have expressed support for his resignation, with the opposition Democratic Party (DP) preparing to introduce a new impeachment motion. The DP leader, Lee Jae-myung, warned that the impeachment motion was gaining momentum and would likely succeed this time. If parliament votes to impeach, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to remove Yoon from office.

Protests have erupted across the country, with unions and workers from sectors including the auto industry and financial institutions organizing rallies in opposition to Yoon’s actions. The political turmoil and public unrest continue to challenge the legitimacy of his leadership.