South Korea’s Yoon will accept impeachment ruling even if it means end to presidency, lawyer says

Yoon Suk Yeol’s lawyer warns of civil war if ‘something goes wrong’ in attempt to arrest president

Yoon Suk Yeol will respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling in his impeachment case even if it means an end to his presidency, the South Korean leader’s lawyer said.

Yoon Kab Keun also dismissed speculation that Mr Yoon, who is facing a second arrest warrant over last month’s botched martial law attempt, had fled the presidential palace in Seoul on Wednesday.

Mr Yoon is facing criminal charges of insurrection over his 3 December declaration of martial law that stunned South Korea and the world. The martial law decree, the country’s first in 40 years, ended after just six hours when the National Assembly voted to withdraw it, despite attempts by armed soldiers to prevent lawmakers from assembling.

The Constitutional Court is set to decide the validity of the impeachment. If the court rules it valid, Mr Yoon will be removed from office.

"So if the decision is ‘removal’, it cannot but be accepted," Mr Yoon’s lawyer told a news conference.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling cannot be appealed.

South Korea Martial Law (AP)

Mr Yoon ignored the Constitutional Court’s request to file his legal briefs before hearings began on 27 December. His lawyers said he was willing to appear in person to argue his case.

Seok Dong Hyeon, another lawyer for Mr Yoon, said the suspended president saw attempts to arrest him as politically motivated and aimed at humiliating him in the public.

He cited media reports that police planned to deploy armoured vehicles and helicopters to get special units into the presidential palace to arrest Mr Yoon.

Supporters of impeached South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol take part in a rally near his residence in Seoul (AFP via Getty)

Mr Seok said the president and his advisers saw the unfolding situation as a war of ideology between those committed to a free democracy and those against it.

“If something goes wrong, what we’re saying is that it could become civil war,” Mr Seok said, without elaborating.

This comes as investigators prepare for a fresh showdown with Mr Yoon’s supporters and security guards after a second arrest warrant was issued to detain him.

The first warrant expired on Monday at midnight but was extended by the Seoul Western District Court at the request of the Corruption Investigation Office.

After the first warrant was issued, investigators tried to arrest Mr Yoon but were blocked by his security service and supporters from entering the presidential palace, triggering a six-hour standoff. They eventually suspended the attempt to arrest Mr Yoon, citing security fears.

The anti-corruption agency’s chief prosecutor has since pledged to make robust efforts to detain the president the second time around.

“We will thoroughly prepare for the execution of the warrant as if the second attempt is the last one,” Oh Dong Woon said at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday.

Thousands of Mr Yoon’s supporters have been braving chilly weather to stage rallies on the streets around the presidential palace to protest his impeachment and potential arrest.

Mr Yoon the lawyer said the president felt concerned about the wellbeing of his supporters rallying outside the palace. “As you know, the weather is really cold these days and it isn’t going to be over in a short time. They are doing it all day long, even late at night, so he feels very sorry and thankful,” the lawyer said.