Police are on guard outside the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 1st, as the special prosecutor's team, led by Prosecutor General Min Jung-gi, begins enforcing an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk-yeol concerning allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Yonhap

The special prosecutor's team, investigating allegations against First Lady Kim Keon-hee, launched an attempt to enforce an arrest warrant on August 1st to forcibly bring in former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had refused to cooperate with ongoing investigations, but was unsuccessful.

The special prosecutor's team entered the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, around 8:30 AM that day to arrest former President Yoon, but left empty-handed approximately two hours later, at around 10:50 AM.

In a press release, the special prosecutor's team stated, "The enforcement of the arrest warrant for former President Yoon today could not be completed due to the individual's strong refusal."

It was reported that there were no plans to re-enforce the arrest warrant later in the day.

It is understood that for the enforcement attempt today, Moon Hong-joo, a special prosecutor, personally went to the front of the detention cells with one prosecutor and one investigator from the special prosecutor's team, directing the correctional officers.

However, it appears that former President Yoon ultimately did not cooperate, and a decision was made to withdraw as it was deemed inappropriate to physically move him against his resistance.

Consequently, the special prosecutor's team is expected to review the timing and method for a renewed attempt to enforce the arrest warrant for former President Yoon.

Former President Yoon was arrested on charges of insurrection on August 10th and is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center.

The special prosecutor's team attempted to summon him for questioning on July 29th and 30th, but as former President Yoon cited deteriorating health and failed to appear for two consecutive days, an arrest warrant was requested on the 30th, and the court issued the warrant that morning. The arrest warrant is valid until August 7th.

Meanwhile, numerous patriotic citizens have gathered in front of the Seoul Detention Center, strongly condemning the special prosecutor's team's unreasonable attempt to enforce the arrest warrant. 

Hankook Ilbo and Yonhap News