South Korean police brace for a showdown with the president’s security after a new warrant is issued

South Korean investigators are bracing for a new confrontation with supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a second arrest warrant was issued over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. On Wednesday, both his supporters and opponents held rallies in freezing temperatures near the presidential palace in Seoul.

Supporters of Mr. Yoon, waving national flags, chanted “Arrest Lee Jae Myung” and “We oppose impeachment.” This comes days after his supporters and security guards blocked investigators from entering the palace to detain him on Friday.

The first arrest warrant, issued after Mr. Yoon ignored multiple summons, expired on Monday. Mr. Yoon’s lawyers have filed complaints against Mr. Oh and six other officers for allegedly orchestrating Friday’s detainment attempt, which they called illegal. They also plan to file complaints against around 150 investigators involved.

In response to accusations that the security service had become Mr. Yoon’s private army, Park Jong Joon, head of the presidential security, defended their actions, stating they had a legal duty to protect the president.