Pres. Yoon named suspect on charges of obstructing investigators' attempts to detain him

In a separate development.

The National Police Agency has booked President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant last month.

Shin Ha-young explains.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has been booked by the NPA for allegedly using the Presidential Security Service to block investigators' attempts to detain him last month over his declaration of martial law.

According to police on Friday, Yoon has been booked on charges of "special" obstruction of public duty.

However, as a sitting president, he cannot be criminally prosecuted.

The special police investigation unit looking into the martial law declaration has reportedly obtained text messages between Yoon and PSS Deputy Chief Kim Seong-hoon regarding efforts to block the execution of the warrant to detain him.

It was confirmed that they exchanged messages through the U.S.-based messaging app Signal on January 3rd, during the first attempt to serve the warrant.

Four days later, they exchanged messages again, with Yoon ordering the security team to intervene if a second attempt was made.

Kim relayed the order to his staff, but they refused to comply, leading to Yoon's arrest on January 15th.

The police did not disclose the details of the messages.

Meanwhile, the special investigation unit announced on Friday that they had transferred the case of six military officials, including Won Cheon-hee, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials.

The officials were booked on charges of insurrection.

The CIO launched a search and seizure procedure the same day at Won's house and office.

It is investigating allegations that Won met with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, Moon Sang-ho, the day before Yoon's martial law declaration to discuss its imposition.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.