South Korea: Authorities Tracking President Yoon's Whereabouts Amid Flight Speculations

Seoul, Jan 8 (NationPress) South Korea's authorities announced on Wednesday that they are actively monitoring President Yoon Suk Yeol's whereabouts as rumors swirl that he may have fled his residence while under the threat of arrest due to his brief declaration of martial law.

"We cannot provide specific details about President Yoon's location," a police representative informed Yonhap News Agency. "We are continuing to track his movements."

Since his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14 over his failed attempt at martial law earlier that month, Yoon has reportedly remained mostly at his official residence in central Seoul.

Sources revealed that police confirmed he was at home last Friday when they attempted to execute a warrant for his detention, but they withdrew five hours later after a standoff with security personnel from the Presidential office. They stated he remained at home at least until the start of this week.

The speculation regarding his potential flight was fueled on Tuesday by Oh Dong-woon, the Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, who indicated to lawmakers during a Parliamentary session that he had received no definitive information about Yoon's status.

When questioned about the possibility of Yoon having fled, he remarked, "We are considering various scenarios."

In a Wednesday interview with KBS radio, Rep. Ahn Gyu-back from the main opposition Democratic Party claimed he had received information suggesting Yoon had already vacated his residence and was currently in a "third location."

"I have received a tip-off," Ahn stated. "I heard yesterday that the police have also conducted a similar assessment of his whereabouts."

However, the Presidential office refuted the speculation that President Yoon Suk Yeol might have escaped his residence during investigators' attempts to detain him for his brief imposition of martial law.

"(I) have been informed that the President is presently at the official residence," a knowledgeable presidential official conveyed to Yonhap News Agency via phone, declining to provide additional details.

Earlier that day, crowds gathered in support of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as those advocating for his immediate arrest, near the Presidential residence. This occurred a day after a court extended a warrant for his detention over his unsuccessful declaration of martial law.

Approximately 600 supporters congregated near Hangangjin Station, predominantly from a conservative civic group led by pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and the Freedom Union, another conservative organization.