South Korea: CIO's Bid to Search Presidential Office and Residence Fails
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Synopsis
In a significant development, South Korean investigators faced resistance in their attempt to search the presidential office and residence linked to the martial law probe. Officials cited laws that restrict access to military-related areas, resulting in a failed operation.
Key Takeaways
- Investigation into Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt.
- CIO's search warrant for the presidential office was denied.
- Legal restrictions on accessing military-related locations.
- Previous raids on presidential safe house and PSS office were unsuccessful.
- Yoon Suk Yeol to attend impeachment hearings.
Seoul, Jan 22 (NationPress) An effort by South Korean investigators to conduct a search of the presidential office and residence as part of the investigation into the martial law incident did not succeed on Wednesday, with officials declining to cooperate, citing laws that limit access to military-related locations.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is examining the case concerning the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, stated that the presidential office rejected the implementation of the court-issued warrant for the search.
The office of Yoon referenced two provisions of criminal law that necessitate authorization from the appropriate authority for executing search and seizure warrants in secured areas tied to military secrets, as noted by the CIO.
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) refused to grant access to the premises, as the acting head of the PSS, who possesses the legal authority to permit entry, was attending a parliamentary session on Yoon's brief martial law declaration, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The CIO left the presidential office around 3 p.m. and departed from the residence just before 5 p.m., several hours after arriving at the locations earlier that day.
Investigators aimed to search the presidential office and residence on Wednesday as part of their inquiry into President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.
The CIO indicated that the purpose of the raid was to obtain server records from a secure device utilized by Yoon, along with computers, other electronic devices, and documents or minutes from meetings connected to his December 3 martial law declaration.
Earlier raids have largely been unsuccessful, including attempts at a presidential safe house and the PSS office earlier this week.
In the meantime, Yoon is set to appear before the Constitutional Court for his impeachment trial hearing this week for the second time, according to an official from Yoon's legal team.
Yoon is scheduled to participate in the hearing at the Constitutional Court on Thursday, the official informed Yonhap News Agency. During the hearing on Tuesday, Yoon denied having ordered martial law troops to remove lawmakers from the National Assembly during his fleeting martial law attempt.
The impeached president's legal team has stated that Yoon plans to attend all forthcoming hearings if feasible.
