South Korean authorities made a new attempt to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol

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South Korean investigators have launched new efforts to arrest President Yun Suk-yeol, who was suspended last month in connection with his attempt to impose martial law.

The operation, which began just after 4 a.m. Wednesday, is the second attempt this month by South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Bureau to question Yoon on rebellion and abuse of office charges.

An initial attempt by investigators to arrest Yoon at the presidential compound earlier this month was thwarted by a tense and hours-long standoff with security officers.

Images broadcast on South Korean television on Wednesday morning appeared to show police clashing with protesters outside the compound in support of Yun, who has been detained for several weeks.

According to South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap, police and CIO officials arrived at the compound and served a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, but he was denied entry by the presidential security service, which has remained loyal to him.

Yonhap also reported that about 30 lawmakers from Yon’s conservative People Power Party were at the compound trying to prevent the authorities from entering.

Yoon’s attorneys asserted that the CIO had no standing to pursue criminal sedition charges against Yoon.

Last week, police warned that an attempt to break into the presidential compound could trigger a “civil war”.

This is a developing story.