UPDATE - S.Korea presidential security officials snub police request for questioning over martial law bid

UPDATES WITH RALLIES HELD IN SEOUL

By Anadolu staff

South Korea’s presidential security on Saturday snubbed a police request for President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning over his aborted martial law attempt last month.

The presidential security service said that neither its head, Park Chong-jun, nor his deputy, Kim Seong-hoon, could leave their positions for "even for a moment," citing the gravity of the situation in providing security for Yoon, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The latest impasse followed a five-hour standoff between the country's Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials-led joint investigation team and presidential security forces, who blocked investigators from detaining Yoon.

The security service said they are in talks with police to reschedule the questioning.

On Friday, following the standoff, the anti-corruption office decided to suspend the execution of a warrant to detain Yoon, who was impeached last month.

The office reportedly decided it was impossible to execute the warrant and left the premises.

The warrant, issued last week, remains valid through Monday.

Separately, rival groups held rallies in the capital Seoul on Saturday, with anti-Yoon protesters demanding his arrest and supporters calling for his reinstatement.

Thousands of members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) gathered to demand Yoon’s immediate arrest. Marching toward the president’s residence, the protesters were blocked by police from reaching the area.

Clashes broke out between police and demonstrators, leading to the arrest of two protesters for allegedly assaulting officers, according to local reports.

At the same time, hundreds of Yoon’s supporters held a rally near Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, urging authorities to reinstate the president.

Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14 and is now awaiting a Constitutional Court trial that will determine whether he is permanently removed from office over his failed Dec. 3 martial law attempt or else reinstated.

A ruling could take up to six months.

Yoon is the first sitting president in South Korean history to face charges of insurrection and treason, along with a travel ban.

This is also the first time an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting South Korean president.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid