South Korean president not ready to give up

The South Korean government is preparing to make a second attempt to arrest President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was previously impeached. The head of state ignored a summons for questioning and barricaded himself in his residence, Reuters reports.

According to a source, the presidential security service has increased security around the complex where Yoon Suk-yeol is located. The area is surrounded by barbed wire, and access to the hilltop villa is blocked by barricades and buses.

Oh Dong-won, head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), previously apologised for the failed arrest attempt carried out last Friday. The six-hour standoff ended inconclusively: the entrance to the presidential complex was blocked by a human shield formed by security personnel.

Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Oh Dong-won assured that the authorities are ready for a new operation:

«Мы приложим все усилия, чтобы добиться цели. На этот раз наша подготовка будет тщательной, а решимость — максимальной. Следующая попытка ареста станет последней» (We will make every effort to achieve our goal. This time, our preparation will be thorough, and our resolve will be at its maximum. The next arrest attempt will be the last).

Local media are discussing possible scenarios for the operation. These include the deployment of police special units and the use of heavy machinery to clear the barricades. 

It is planned that more than 2,000 police officers will be deployed to dislodge the presidential security. In the worst case, the operation could last up to three days if it becomes necessary to exhaust the defenders' forces.