South Korean officials make a new attempt to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol

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South Korean investigators have launched a new effort to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with last month’s failed attempt to impose martial law.

The operation, which began shortly after 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday, was the second attempt this month by the Korea Corruption Investigation Office to arrest Yoon for questioning on charges of rebellion and abuse of office.

Investigators’ initial move to arrest Yoon at his presidential palace was blocked by his security guards after a tense, hours-long confrontation earlier this month.

Images broadcast on South Korean television Wednesday morning showed police scuffling with pro-Yoon protesters outside the compound where he has been holed up for several weeks.

According to South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap, police and officials from the CIO arrived at the compound and issued an arrest warrant for Yoon, but were stopped by the presidential security agency, which remains loyal to him. don’t let in.

Yonhap also reported that about 30 lawmakers from Yoon’s conservative People’s Power party were at the compound and tried to prevent officials from entering there.

Yoon’s lawyers claim the CIO has no standing to pursue criminal insurrection charges against Yoon.

Last week, they warned that a police attempt to break into the president’s residence could spark a “civil war.”

This is a developing story.