South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, widely seen as the frontrunner in a presidential by-election triggered by the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol last week, officially announced a presidential bid on Thursday, vowing to heal a starkly divided nation through economic growth. Lee, who narrowly lost the 2022 election to Yoon, led the liberal Democratic Party’s campaign to oust the former president over his December declaration of martial law, reports AP. Lee recently stepped down as the party’s chairman to focus on campaigning for the June 3 election. He is considered the clear frontrunner in party's primary. Kim Dong-yeon, the Democratic governor of Gyeonggi province and a longtime financial policymaker, also told reporters Wednesday that he intends to run for president. Yoon’s downfall has left the conservative People Power Party in disarray, with roughly 10 politicians expected to seek the nomination, reflecting a split between Yoon loyalists, who still control the party’s leadership, and reformists calling for a fresh start. In a video message, Lee said that Yoon’s martial law saga exposed the country’s deep divisions and social conflicts, and argued that the root cause was a widening rich-poor gap. He promised aggressive government spending to jolt economic growth and ease income polarization. “We have more than we did in the past, but wealth is too concentrated in certain areas,” Lee said. “With economic growth rates declining worldwide, it has become difficult to maintain and develop an economy solely on the strength of the private sector. However, with government-led talent development and extensive investments in technological research and development, we can revive the economy.” Pakistan says US companies seek to invest in its minerals sector Lee said it was crucial to maintain a robust alliance with the United States and to pursue three-way cooperation with Japan, but he stressed that South Korea’s national interest should come first in “every decision.” Lee, who has served as a lawmaker, provincial governor and city mayor, is adored by supporters for his outspoken style and has long positioned himself as an anti-elitist. His critics view him as a populist who stokes division and demonizes conservative opponents while failing to offer realistic funding plans to achieve his ambitious goals. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party and a staunch Yoon loyalist, said that if Lee becomes president, he will “ruthlessly wield the sword of dogmatism and retribution” and further deepen the country’s divisions. Lee also has his own set of legal troubles, facing five different trials for corruption and other criminal charges.

North Korea deployed approximately 3,000 additional troops to Russia in January and February, continuing its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s latest assessment South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Thursday that North Korea has also been supplying Russia with missiles, artillery, and ammunition and may increase its weapons shipments depending on the evolving war. While Russia and Ukraine recently agreed to a limited ceasefire, both nations have accused each other of breaching it. Japan China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation The military supplies North Korea has sent to Russia include a substantial quantity of short-range ballistic missiles, 170mm self-propelled howitzers, and around 220 units of 240mm multiple rocket launchers. In total, North Korea has dispatched roughly 11,000 troops to take part in the conflict in Ukraine—its first large-scale military involvement since the Korean War (1950–53). The Joint Chiefs estimate that about 4,000 of those troops have either been killed or injured. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had previously attributed the high casualty rate among North Korean forces to their struggle in adapting to drones and other modern warfare tactics. Additionally, their Russian commanders’ reliance on crude military strategies—such as sending North Korean troops into battle without adequate rear-fire support—has further contributed to their losses, according to a January briefing to lawmakers. Despite this, Ukrainian military and intelligence officials believe that North Korean troops are gaining vital battlefield experience and have played a crucial role in Russia’s strategy of overwhelming Ukrainian forces by deploying large numbers of soldiers, particularly in the battle for Kursk. This assessment from South Korea follows a recent meeting in Pyongyang between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian security official Sergei Shoigu, where Kim reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia’s war effort. State media reports indicate that Kim and Shoigu also reaffirmed their commitment to a major mutual defence treaty signed last year. On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Russian media that discussions were ongoing regarding a potential visit by Kim to Moscow, though no specific date had been set. “We always discuss the possibility of exchange visits with all our partners. We are constantly making preparations,” Rudenko told RIA Novosti. North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills Kim Unveils New Military Drones Kim’s military assistance to Russia has raised concerns that North Korea may receive advanced Russian technology in return, potentially boosting the capabilities of its nuclear-armed forces. Experts suggest that aircraft and drones could be among the technologies North Korea seeks to acquire from Russia. On Thursday, North Korean state media reported that Kim had recently observed tests of newly developed reconnaissance and attack drones, calling for their mass production. Over the past several months, Kim has increasingly emphasised drone development, and these tests mark the latest demonstration of North Korea’s advancing military capabilities. Photos published by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed Kim monitoring a large reconnaissance drone resembling the U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, first unveiled during a military exhibition in 2023. Other images depicted Kim inside what appeared to be an airborne early warning aircraft, similar in design to the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. Additional photos showed explosive drones crashing into military vehicles, which were used as targets. KCNA stated that the reconnaissance drone successfully demonstrated its ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea’s intelligence-gathering and threat-neutralisation capabilities. The report also claimed that the newly developed explosive drones are designed for various attack missions and incorporate unspecified artificial intelligence technology. Kim expressed satisfaction with the drones' performance and approved an expansion of production, stressing that both drones and AI should be prioritised in modernising his armed forces, according to KCNA. The report stated that the tests were conducted during Kim’s visits to a drone technology facility and an electronic warfare research group on Tuesday and Wednesday. This follows previous demonstrations of explosive drones, which Kim inspected in August and November last year. When asked about the early warning aircraft unveiled by North Korean state media, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said the North likely modified an existing plane for this purpose, possibly incorporating Russian components. However, he noted that the aircraft’s operational effectiveness remains unproven. “As seen in the released images, the aircraft appears quite cumbersome, and we assess that it would likely be vulnerable to interception,” Lee said during a briefing, without providing further details.

Wildfires have been devastating southern South Korea, claiming 18 lives, destroying over 200 structures, and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Driven by strong winds, these wildfires rank among the worst the country has ever faced. Officials also reported that a helicopter crashed while attempting to contain the fires in Uiseong, one of the most severely affected areas. The Korea Forest Service stated that rescue operations were in progress, and it was believed that only the pilot was on board. 39 dead as tornadoes, wildfires, dust storms devastate US The government’s emergency response centre noted that the fires have burned through 43,330 acres, injuring 19 people and consuming an ancient Buddhist temple, houses, factories, and vehicles. In a televised address, South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo stated that the ongoing wildfires, which began last Friday, were inflicting more damage than many previous incidents. “The damage is escalating rapidly,” Han remarked. “We may be facing wildfire destruction on an unprecedented scale, so we must focus all our efforts on extinguishing the fires this week.” Han pointed out that strong overnight winds had hampered firefighting efforts, with around 4,650 firefighters, soldiers, and other personnel engaged in the battle against the flames. They were supported by approximately 130 helicopters. A small amount of rainfall—5 to 10 millimetres—was expected on Thursday. Observers consider these wildfires the third-largest in South Korea’s history in terms of land burned. On Tuesday, officials in several southeastern cities and towns ordered evacuations as dry winds continued to fuel multiple blazes. The largest fires were reported in Andong, the neighbouring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong, and the city of Ulsan, according to the Interior Ministry. Earlier that day, officials had announced that the largest fires in these areas had mostly been extinguished. However, strong winds and dry conditions led to the blazes reigniting. Overnight firefighting efforts were partially halted as the winds intensified. In Uiseong, the fire destroyed nearly half of the more than 30 structures at Gounsa, a temple believed to have been originally built in the 7th century. Among the damaged buildings were two state-designated “treasures” – a pavilion-like structure built over a stream in 1668 and a Joseon Dynasty structure from 1904, erected to commemorate a king’s longevity. Another state-designated treasure, an 8th-century stone Buddha statue, was relocated to safety, as confirmed by government and Buddhist officials. The Justice Ministry reported that 500 inmates were transferred from a detention centre in Cheongsong, another town in the south, as a precaution. However, no damage to the facility was reported. On Tuesday, the Korea Forest Service raised its wildfire warning to the highest “serious” level nationwide. This measure required local authorities to deploy additional emergency personnel, tighten entry restrictions to forests and parks, and advise military units to suspend live-fire exercises. Powerful March storm sparks wildfires, causes fatalities, raises Tornado concerns Among the 18 casualties were four firefighters and government workers who lost their lives in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds, officials said. Authorities suspect that human negligence was responsible for several of the fires, possibly due to the use of fire for clearing overgrown grass at family tombs or sparks from welding activities.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Monday reversed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting leader of the country. This decision was made while the court has yet to issue a verdict on the separate impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Many analysts believe the ruling on Han’s impeachment doesn’t offer much insight into the likely outcome of Yoon's case, as Han was not central to the controversial imposition of martial law by Yoon. Nevertheless, the decision could strengthen Yoon's loyal supporters and intensify their political campaign against the opposition. US lifts bounties on senior Taliban officials, including Sirajuddin Haqqani Han became acting president after Yoon, a conservative, was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December following Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3, which sparked a political crisis. However, Han himself faced impeachment by the assembly later that month amid political conflict with opposition lawmakers. The consecutive and unprecedented impeachments of the nation’s top two leaders deepened the country’s political division and raised concerns over its diplomatic and economic stability. In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok served as acting president. On Monday, seven of the court’s eight justices ruled to overturn or dismiss Han's impeachment, stating that the accusations against him were not legally valid or significant enough to justify his removal from office, or that the impeachment motion had failed to meet the necessary quorum in the assembly. Only one justice upheld the impeachment. A dismissal of Han would have required the backing of at least six justices. After his reinstatement, Han addressed the media, stating that he would focus on "the most urgent matters," including the shifting global trade landscape, likely alluding to the Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies. He also called for national unity, stating that "there’s no left or right — what matters is the advancement of our nation." The court has not yet ruled on Yoon's impeachment. If upheld, South Korea will need to hold a presidential election. If Yoon’s impeachment is overturned, he will be restored to office with full presidential powers. Yoon's impeachment came about two weeks before Han's. Observers had expected the Constitutional Court to rule on Yoon's case in mid-March, but no decision has been made as of now. Yoon has also been arrested and charged with rebellion related to his martial law decree. If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or a life sentence. On March 8, a Seoul district court allowed Yoon to stand trial while not being detained, leading to his release from prison. Massive protests for and against Yoon have divided South Korea’s major cities, including Seoul. Earlier polls suggested that a majority of South Koreans disapproved of Yoon's martial law decree, though support for Yoon and his sympathizers has grown since then. The main point of contention in the political battle over Yoon is his deployment of hundreds of troops and police to the assembly following the declaration of martial law. While Yoon claims the intention was to maintain order, military and police officials have stated that Yoon ordered them to remove lawmakers to prevent a vote to rescind his decree. Eventually, enough lawmakers managed to vote against the decree, rejecting it unanimously. Han, a seasoned diplomat appointed by Yoon, attempted to stabilize diplomatic relations and reassure financial markets while serving as acting president. His refusal to fill three vacancies on the nine-member Constitutional Court, however, triggered the opposition’s push for his impeachment. Restoring the court’s full membership became a contentious issue, as a ruling in favor of Yoon’s impeachment would require at least six justices. Han’s successor, Choi Sang-mok, appointed two new justices but left the ninth seat vacant. Turkish court orders key Erdogan rival jailed pending trial on corruption charges Both Han and Choi argued that bipartisan consent was needed to appoint new justices, but critics suggested they were aligning with Yoon's People Power Party to increase Yoon’s chances of returning to power. On Friday, the main liberal opposition party, the Democratic Party, along with other smaller opposition parties, submitted an impeachment motion against Choi.

Foreign ministers from Japan, China and South Korea reaffirmed the importance of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and sought common ground in areas like aging, low birth rates, natural disasters and cultural exchange at a meeting that took place at a time of growing tensions. At a joint news conference after the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he, his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul agreed on the need to promote mutual understanding and tackle shared, multi-generational concerns to gain wider support for trilateral cooperation. Iwaya emphasized his concerns about North Korea' s nuclear and missile development and cooperation with Russia as regional threats, and stressed the importance of pursuing the North's full denuclearization under the U.N. Security Council resolutions. Iwaya reiterated Japan's condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine, adding that there is no place in the world for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, a subtle message about China's growing assertiveness in the region. Wang said that China supports the formation of a mutual regional economy and proposed further efforts toward achieving an economic framework for the three countries. He said trilateral cooperation in a range of areas including technology, climate exchange and other issues will “serve as key driving force for East Asian cooperation.” Japan's leader calls for common ground ahead of key meeting with China and South Korea The meeting on Saturday focuses on plans for a trilateral leaders' summit later this year amid growing political and economic uncertainty at home and challenges from U.S. President Donald Trump. The three-way meetings are an accomplishment for Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea. An earlier trilateral meeting was held in South Korea last year. Cho, whose country chaired their leaders’ first summit after a four-and-half-year hiatus due to the pandemic, said the ongoing global crisis makes the trilateral cooperation more important than ever and it is important to maintain their positive flow. He said that their cooperation is especially important as the world faces tension and divisions, and that their cooperation in areas of common challenges will set a good model for global cooperation. Later Saturday, delegations from Japan and China were to meet separately to hold their first high-level economic dialogue since April 2019. Iwaya and Wang will also hold separate bilateral talks with Cho.

A US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Sunday, demonstrating military strength just days after North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to showcase its counterattack capabilities, reports AP. The USS Carl Vinson and its strike group docked in the South Korean port of Busan to emphasise the robust U.S.-South Korea military alliance amidst ongoing North Korean threats, while also enhancing the allies’ joint operational readiness, according to the South Korean navy. The arrival marked the first U.S. aircraft carrier visit to South Korea since June. South Korean police summon Japanese woman for kissing BTS member without consent This deployment is likely to provoke North Korea, which perceives such U.S. military assets as significant security threats. In response to previous U.S. aircraft carrier, long-range bomber, and nuclear-powered submarine deployments, North Korea has conducted missile tests. Since President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, he has indicated plans to reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to revive diplomacy. Although North Korea has not directly reacted to Trump’s offer, it claims that U.S.-led hostilities against it have increased since Trump's swearing-in. On Friday, North Korea announced it had test-launched strategic cruise missiles earlier in the week to demonstrate its military’s ability to counterattack and its nuclear readiness. After the launches, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un declared that the military must remain prepared to use nuclear weapons. This was the North’s fourth missile test this year. North Korea says it performed cruise missile tests, days after it vowed to respond to US threats Experts believe that Kim is unlikely to engage with Trump at this time, as his focus is on supporting Russia's war in Ukraine through the provision of weapons and troops. However, they suggest Kim may consider diplomatic talks with Trump in the future if he finds it challenging to sustain North Korea's growing cooperation with Russia. Kim and Trump met three times between 2018 and 2019 during Trump’s first term to discuss North Korea's nuclear program. Their negotiations ultimately faltered over disagreements concerning U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

South Koreans are using flower wreaths and K-pop light sticks as symbols of political protest during the country’s most significant political crisis in decades, triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law in December. Thousands of flower wreaths, many criticizing Yoon and other officials involved in the martial law controversy, have been sent to his residence and government buildings linked to the impeachment process, AP reports. Local media estimate the number of wreaths delivered to government offices at several thousand. Messages range from moderate to extreme, reflecting the deepening political divide. Funeral wreaths with black ribbons and white chrysanthemums, as well as celebratory arrangements of roses and orchids, cost up to $75 and carry messages of both support and condemnation. South Korea's impeached president arrested over martial law declaration This protest tactic has seen growing media attention. Analysis from Big Kinds, a database of over 100 local news outlets, shows that media coverage of wreath protests in 2024 was four times higher than in 2023. Though the exact origin of this method is unclear, it first appeared in the early 2010s. While many flower shops deny receiving orders for protest wreaths, some have become central to the movement. Yoon Miyoung, owner of Dongsung Flower in Seoul, said her shop has delivered over 1,000 wreaths since December, primarily for pro-Yoon supporters. “Seoul is running out of flowers,” she remarked, noting that about a third of her customers are in their 20s and 30s, with orders also coming from Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands. Experts view wreath protests as a unique but polarizing form of demonstration. Sociology professor Choi Hang-sub from Kookmin University compared the messages on wreaths to offline hate speech, akin to malicious online comments. Jungwon University’s Kim Hern Sik described the method as confined to certain political groups, limiting its broader appeal. Environmental concerns have also been raised, as most wreaths use non-eco-friendly materials. However, Kim highlighted younger generations’ innovative protest methods, such as using K-pop light sticks at rallies. During pro-impeachment protests last December, demonstrators wielded light sticks from bands like BIGBANG and NCT, valued at around $50, to express their views. The crisis began on December 3 when Yoon imposed martial law and deployed troops to the National Assembly, leading to his impeachment on December 13. Arrested on January 19, Yoon now faces rebellion charges as the Constitutional Court deliberates his fate within the next 180 days.

Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Jeongkyu w on Thursday reaffirmed his country's support for Bangladesh's interim government and its reform efforts. He extended South Korea's support to Bangladesh during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He expressed satisfaction with the robust trade, investment, and economic ties between the two countries, highlighting that 150 Korean companies are operating in Bangladesh, with more seeking investment opportunities in key sectors. South Korean special envoy to pay “goodwill” visit to Bangladesh Jan 22-23 The Foreign Secretary informed the Special Envoy about Bangladesh’s ongoing reform initiatives following the July-August revolution to promote transparency and accountability. The Foreign Secretary also mentioned the active role of the interim government in creating a conducive environment for organising the election to ensure a smooth transition of power. He emphasised Bangladesh’s interest in attracting Korean investment in agriculture, high-tech RMG, smart city development and electronics. Jashim Uddin stressed the importance of enhanced business-to-business and Chamber-to-Chamber engagements and urged swift progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. The Special Envoy praised the Bangladeshi workers for their contribution and hard work. The Foreign Secretary praised ROK’s Employment Permit System (EPS). He also acknowledged ROK’s transformation into a developed nation, describing it as an inspiration for Bangladesh’s own development aspirations. Dr Yunus urges Meta to intensify efforts against misinformation, fake news He also praised ROK’s global soft power, including the cultural influence of K-Pop and K-Dramas, which continue to win hearts worldwide, including in Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary also thanked ROK, being supportive to Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue, with the Special Envoy reaffirming Korea’s support. The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing high-level engagements to deepen Bangladesh-ROK relations.

South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers on Monday that two North Korean soldiers who were captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region haven’t expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the social media platform X that he’s willing to hand over the soldiers to North Korea if the country’s authoritarian leader, Kim Jong Un, arranges for an exchange with Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. Zelenskyy added that “there may be other options” for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return home, and a video released by his government indicated that at least one of the captured soldiers expressed a desire to remain in Ukraine. In a closed-door briefing at South Korea’s National Assembly, the National Intelligence Service confirmed its participation in the questioning of the North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian authorities. The agency said the soldiers haven’t expressed a request to resettle in South Korea, according to two lawmakers who attended the meeting. The agency said it was willing to discuss the matter with Ukrainian authorities if the soldiers eventually do ask to go to South Korea. About 34,000 North Koreans have defected to capitalist rival South Korea to avoid economic hardship and political suppression at home, mostly since the late 1990s. Koo Byoungsam, spokesperson of South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said facilitating the asylum of the North Korean soldiers would require “legal reviews, including on international law, and consultations with related nations.” “There’s nothing we can say at the current stage,” Koo said. Read: Ukraine claims to have captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia Seoul’s spy agency believes that about 300 North Korean soldiers have died and another 2,700 have been injured while fighting against Ukrainian forces, in what represents North Korea's first involvement in large-scale conflict since the 1950-53 Korean War. The agency assessed that the North Koreans are struggling to adapt to drones and other elements of modern warfare. They are further disadvantaged by the crude tactics of their Russian commanders, who have thrown them in assault campaigns without providing rear-fire support, according to Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the agency’s briefing. The agency said memos found on dead North Korean soldiers indicated that they had been ordered to commit suicide before being captured, according to Lee. The agency said one North Korean soldier, facing the threat of being captured by Ukrainian forces, shouted “General Kim Jong Un” and tried to detonate a hand grenade before he was shot and killed. Zelenskyy confirmed the capture of the North Korean soldiers on Saturday, days after Ukraine, facing a slow Russian onslaught in the east, began pressing new attacks in Kursk to retain ground captured in a lightning incursion in August — the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. Moscow’s counterattack has left Ukrainian forces outstretched and demoralized, killing and wounding thousands and retaking more than 40% of the 984 square kilometers (380 square miles) of Kursk that Ukraine had seized. Moon Seong Mook, a retired South Korean brigadier general, said the high death toll for North Korean soldiers was predictable, as they would not have been sufficiently prepared for an unfamiliar mission in the terrain of the Kursk region, which is vastly different from North Korea’s mountainous landscape. Read more: North Korea tests hypersonic missile aimed at remote Pacific areas Another disadvantage for the North Koreans is that they are not conducting independent operations but are being thrust into combat under Russian commanders, possibly struggling with unfamiliar tactics and communication issues due to language barriers, said Moon, who has taken part in numerous military talks with North Korea. The North Korean forces could be operating special surveillance teams to arrest or execute attempted deserters, he said. “The current battlefield environment, combined with drones and other technologies, have created situations North Korean soldiers have never encountered before,” Moon said. “They are also being deployed in large numbers in wide-open fields, where there is no place to hide, in continuous battles to retake the area, and that seems to be where the casualties are coming from.” North Korea’s decadeslong financial troubles, which have forced many soldiers to grow their own food or spend long hours deployed in construction and other work to sustain the national economy, could also have impacted the quality of training they receive at home, Moon said. Still, there are concerns in Seoul that North Korea’s participation in the Ukraine crisis poses a significant threat to South Korea, as North Korean forces may gain crucial combat experience and Russia may provide technology transfers that could enhance North Korea’s nuclear-armed army.

South Korean police interrogated the head of the presidential security service on Friday amidst escalating tensions between agencies over the detainment of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, reports AP. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and the police plan a renewed effort to detain Yoon, investigating whether his brief declaration of martial law on December 3 constituted an attempted rebellion. The security service had previously obstructed an attempt to detain Yoon at his official residence, where he has been confined for weeks. South Korean anti-corruption agency receives new court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Presidential security chief Park Jong-joon, defending his role as the president’s protector, warned of potential "bloodshed" and faced criticism that the security agency is acting as Yoon's private army. After ignoring two summonses, Park appeared for questioning over allegations of justice obstruction, following last week’s clash where security forces repelled investigators attempting to detain Yoon. Authorities are considering arresting Park and other security leaders to facilitate Yoon’s detainment. Yoon remains at his fortified residence in Seoul, with heightened security measures, including barbed wire and blocked roads. South Korean anti-graft agency asks police to measures to detain impeached Yoon On December 3, Yoon briefly declared martial law, deploying troops around the National Assembly. This measure was overturned the same day when lawmakers breached the blockade and voted to lift martial law. Subsequently, Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended after his impeachment on December 14, with the Constitutional Court deliberating on whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. Park criticized the investigation, urging an approach that respects Yoon’s status as president and the dignity of the nation. He stated that he sought mediation from acting leader Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok and Yoon’s legal team but received no satisfactory response. Yoon’s lawyers have accused the police of undermining the presidential security service, arguing that national security is being disregarded. While the Presidential Security Act mandates protecting the president, legal experts argue that the security service’s actions might be unlawful if they obstruct court-ordered detainments. South Korean fire fighters tackle blaze in commercial building in Seongnam National Court Administration head Cheon Dae-yeop remarked that unwarranted resistance to such orders could constitute a crime. Although sitting presidents enjoy broad immunity from prosecution, charges of rebellion or treason are exceptions. Yoon’s legal team questioned the legitimacy of the detention warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court, asserting that the anti-corruption office lacks authority to investigate rebellion or enforce detainment at a location potentially linked to military secrets without the resident's consent. The lawyers have called for the anti-corruption agency to either indict Yoon or seek a formal arrest warrant, which requires a court hearing. However, they insist Yoon would only comply with an arrest warrant from the Seoul Central District Court, accusing the agency of judge-shopping by choosing a more favourable jurisdiction.