Police attempt raid on presidential office, face standoff

By Im Yoon-seo Posted : December 11, 2024, 16:56 Updated : December 12, 2024, 08:00
Police arrive at the presidential office in Yongsan Seoul on Dec 11 2024 Yonhap
Police arrive at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul on Dec. 11, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Police on Wednesday tried to raid the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, about a week after President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law last week.

Some 18 investigators arrived at the presidential compound at around 11:50 a.m. with a search warrant to seize documents and other records which could provide a clue about Yoon's short-lived martial law debacle last Tuesday.

But they were prevented from entering by security staff, who, citing procedural issues, demanded prior consultation, leading to an hours-long standoff.

The delay in the raid raises concerns over destroying or tampering of evidence.

The warrant states Yoon as a suspect, permitting the search and seizure of the presidential office, meeting rooms, and other facilities. However, the president's residence in Hannam-dong is not included.

About 60 law enforcement officials also raided other key locations linked to the Dec. 3 debacle, including the National Police Agency and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The raid came after NPA chief Cho Ji-ho and SMPA chief Kim Bong-sik were arrested earlier in the day.
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