CIO investigators seek detention warrant for Yoon before Friday night deadline

We start with the latest on the investigation by the anti-corruption officials as the president refuses to attend today's questioning session as well.

For more Arirang's Kim Bo-kyoung joins me live from the Gwacheon Government Complex where the anti-graft agency is located.

Bo-kyoung it's good to have you on.

So how are investigators responding to the president's refusal to answer questions?

Hello, Sunny.

As you have already said, impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol again refused to appear for questioning over his December 3rd martial law declaration.

He was supposed to be here at 10 AM.

His refusal comes after failing to appear the previous day, too citing health issues.

One CIO official said that there has been no notification from Yoon's side over his non-attendance this time around.

Given that the 48-hour deadline to detain Yoon will end at around 9 PM Friday, the CIO says re-summoning Yoon would be realistically unlikely.

Yoon's not appearing is not a surprise.

One of his lawyers, Seok Dong-hyeon , has already said that Yoon had thoroughly stated his basic position during questioning on the first day, and does not see any reason or need to respond to a question-and-answer type of interrogation.

Now the CIO is widely expected to request a detention warrant sometime before Friday's deadline of 9 PM which would allow them to detain him for up to 20 days.

The CIO announced that it is highly likely that they will request the detention warrant from the Seoul Western District Court. as it is typical to ask it from the court that issued the arrest warrant.

Though the exact time of the request has not yet been decided, the CIO official said it is almost finalized.

Regarding whether Yoon will be present at the warrant review himself, his lawyer said it is difficult to make a prediction as the warrant has not been filed yet, but his legal team will strongly argue the necessity of it.

Meanwhile, police executed an arrest warrant for Kim Seong-hoon, the deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service for allegedly leading efforts to prevent Yoon's arrest from happening.

I see.

Meanwhile Bo-kyoung I hear public rallies in support of the president remain intense at a number of different locations?

That's right.

Behind me are some of Yoon's supporters, protesting against the CIO.

His supporters have also been rallying in front of Seoul Detention Center --where Yoon is currently, chanting things like "Release the President."

Pro-Yoon protests are taking place in front of the Seoul Western District Court as well, where the detention warrant is expected to be requested.

Protests were held last night as well, with people forming a human chain, to block officials from the CIO in case they come to deliver the detention warrant documents.

This even led to clashes with police, with one man taken into custody at around 10:50 PM on Thursday for the obstruction of the performance of official duties after he attempted to close the gate.

That is all I have for now, but I will bring you more updates in a later newscast.

Back to you, Sunny.

All right Bo-kyoung thank you for that coverage.

That was our Kim Bo-kyoung reporting live from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.