Military unit approves joint investigation unit's access to presidential residence

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials announced Tuesday that the 55th Security Brigade, a military unit responsible for guarding the perimeters of the presidential residence, agreed to grant investigators access to the presidential compound. The authorities revealed that an official letter was sent to the 55th Security Brigade, requesting access to the presidential residence for the members of the joint investigative unit -- comprising the CIO, the Korean National Police

Jan. 14, 2025

CIO warns of legal consequences for presidential bodyguards for blocking investigators

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials announced Monday that it sent the official documents to both the Presidential Security Service and the Ministry of National Defense on Sunday, officially requesting their cooperation in enforcing the warrant to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. According to the CIO, it sent the documents to a total of six PSS guards, including the head of the Bodyguard Division, Lee Kwang-woo, warning them of the legal consequences that PSS e

Jan. 13, 2025

Strengthening chip industry, general sharesholder protection

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act Proposed by Rep. Yoon Han-hong (People Power Party) ●The current act imposes disclosure obligations on certain business groups and the person with de facto control over the group. This amendment clarifies the scope of subjects liable under the act, excluding companies managed by outside directors of affiliates or executive officers of nonprofit corporations from the definition of “business group.” Propsed Bill: Partia

Jan. 13, 2025

Yoon seeks injunction against warrant execution: lawyer

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s lawyers said Thursday they had filed for an injunction with the Constitutional Court that same day against a district court-approved warrant to detain the president. Yoon Kab-keun, one of Yoon’s legal representatives, insisted that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) does not have the authority to conduct an investigation over the alleged insurrection charges of the suspended president. The CIO leads the joint investigation team, which i

Jan. 9, 2025

2nd attempt to detain Yoon: What has changed?

Authorities are under growing pressure to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning, following their aborted attempt on Friday and the subsequent receipt of an extended warrant. On Tuesday, the court granted an extension of its warrant to arrest Yoon, giving the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the police — key agencies in the joint probe team — additional time to strategize when and how to make their second attempt. Oh Dong-woon, the chief prosecutor of the CI

Jan. 8, 2025

Army commanders jailed over recruit's death in training

The company commander and deputy company commander of the Army's recruit training center were sentenced to five and three years in prison, respectively, for ordering unauthorized disciplinary drills that led to the death of a trainee. In its first-trial verdict on Tuesday, the Chuncheon District Court in Gangwon Province found the defendants guilty, acknowledging a direct link between their actions and the death of the trainee, surnamed Park. The court added that the abnormal military training d

Jan. 7, 2025

Residents, commuters stressed by rallies near Yoon's residence

Seoul city to request stricter police measures for protests occupying roads Protesters have been rallying in front of the presidential residence to support or block authorities from carrying out the warrant to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol in recent days. But the protests have started to bother residents of Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, where the presidential residence is located, as well as workers used to commuting through the area. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday tha

Jan. 7, 2025

CIO suspends warrant execution amid standoff with Yoon's security

Presidential Security Service chief, others, summoned as suspects on Saturday over suspicions of obstructing warrant execution GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said Friday that it has withdrawn from the presidential residence due to safety concerns, explaining its staff was outnumbered by Presidential Security Service personnel. "We were able to approach almost 200 meters away from the presidential residence, but approximately 200 Pres

Jan. 3, 2025

CIO suspends warrant execution against Yoon, citing safety issue over standoff

The execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended on Friday afternoon, due to an ongoing standoff that has made it practically impossible to proceed with the operation, according to authorities. Authorities involved in the joint investigation, including the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, had initially moved to carry out the warrant that had been approved by the court. However, after five hours of tension, it was determined that the escalat

Jan. 3, 2025

Standoff as CIO moves to detain Yoon

As a joint investigative team led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials moved to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol, tensions flared Tuesday between his supporters, his detractors, police and the Presidential Security Service outside his residence on Thursday. With Yoon's written message delivered to demonstrators earlier in the day via a live broadcast on YouTube stating he is watching their efforts to support him, the pro-Yoon rally grew stronger. Some people lied on th

Jan. 2, 2025