South Korean lawmakers seek independent probe as Yoon's lawyers warn detention may spark 'civil war'

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean opposition parties introduced a bill Thursday calling for an independent investigation into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration, as thousands of his supporters and critics held tense rallies near his residence ahead of his potential detention.

The bill, jointly submitted by six parties, including the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, proposes that a special prosecutor investigate whether Yoon's martial law decree on Dec. 3 constituted an attempted rebellion.

The bill also calls for an investigation into opposition claims that Yoon sought to provoke a clash with North Korea by allegedly flying drones over Pyongyang or discussing the possibility of shooting down trash-laden balloons launched from North Korea across the border, to justify a power grab at home. Yoon’s lawyers and the South Korean military have denied the suspicions.

Yoon remained holed up at his official residence in the capital city of Seoul, where the presidential security service has fortified the grounds with barbed wire and rows of vehicles blocking the roads, anticipating another attempt by law enforcement to detain him after last week’s failed effort.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, leading a joint investigation with police and the military, has pledged to work with police to make a more forceful effort to detain Yoon. It has warned that members of the presidential security staff could be arrested if they obstruct attempts to apprehend the embattled president.

Yoon’s lawyers argued against bringing him to custody, claiming he isn’t a threat to flee or destroy evidence. They claimed that images of him being dragged out in handcuffs could spark a “civil war” in the divided country.

At a news conference Thursday, Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer on Yoon’s legal team, highlighted the fervent protests by Yoon’s supporters and claimed that the anti-corruption office’s “reckless” attempts to detain Yoon would “provoke a significant backlash from outraged citizens.”

“It would essentially be a civil war situation,” he said, claiming that attempts to detain Yoon are aimed at humiliating him by displaying him in handcuffs.

Separated by police lines and fences, thousands of Yoon’s supporters and critics continued their daily rallies near his residence, shouting passionate slogans either vowing to protect him or calling for his ouster. They occasionally exchanged verbal insults, though there were no immediate reports of major clashes.

The opposition has claimed that an independent investigation is crucial because separate investigations led by the country’s anti-corruption agency and public prosecutors have been hindered by Yoon’s unwillingness to cooperate.

The new bill proposes that the Supreme Court’s chief justice recommend two candidates to Yoon, who would then select one as the special prosecutor. If Yoon refuses to appoint anyone, the elder of the two candidates would automatically assume the role.

The opposition’s earlier bill proposing an independent investigation was rejected by the National Assembly on Wednesday, as members of Yoon’s conservative party opposed a clause allowing only opposition parties to recommend special prosecutor candidates. That bill was voted down by just two votes, and the Democrats were hopeful that the new bill would get through.

Yoon’s lawyers have questioned the legitimacy of a new detention warrant issued Tuesday by the Seoul Western District Court following the failed attempt to bring Yoon to custody. They argued that the agency lacks legal authority to investigate rebellion charges or order police to detain suspects.

They have urged the agency to either indict the president or seek a formal arrest warrant, a process that requires a court hearing. However, the president has stated that he would only comply with an arrest warrant issued by the Seoul Central District Court. His lawyers have accused the agency of deliberately choosing the a court with an allegedly favorable judge.

Hours after Yoon declared martial law and deployed troops to surround the National Assembly on Dec. 3, lawmakers who managed to get through the blockade voted to lift the measure. Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended when the opposition-dominated Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14, accusing him of rebellion. The Constitutional Court has begun deliberations on whether to formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.

Seok Dong-hyeon and Yoon Kab-keun, right, lawyers for South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, attend a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A protester beats a traditional Korean gong during a rally demanding the arrest of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The letters read "Dismiss." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Protesters attend a rally demanding the arrest of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The letters read "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambique's main opposition leader returned from self-imposed exile on Thursday clutching a bible and saying he still rejects the results of a disputed election last year that has sparked more than two months of protests and a violent crackdown by security forces.

While Venancio Mondlane stepped off a plane, security forces fired tear gas at hundreds of his supporters who gathered near the main international airport to welcome him home. Mondlane arrived at Mavalane International Airport in the capital, Maputo, to applause from some airport workers and then kneeled in the arrivals hall with a bible in his left hand.

“I want to fight within this country and I will, until the very end, keep fighting for this country,” Mondlane said. “I’m not willing to accept election results if they are the same as those announced up until now.”

He had left the country in October following an election clouded by allegations of rigging against the long-ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power since Mozambique gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

More than 100 people have been killed by security forces, according to international rights groups, since Mozambique erupted in protests after Frelimo was declared the winner of the Oct. 9 election. Some local groups put the death toll at more than 200. Mondlane had called for people to protest the results.

Mondlane has said he left Mozambique fearing for his life after two senior members of his opposition party were killed in their car by unknown gunmen in a late-night shooting on a street in Maputo in the aftermath of the election. Mondlane's party called the killings political assassinations.

Police on Thursday also blocked roads leading to the airport after Mondlane said on social media earlier this week he would return to the southern African country. Tear gas drifted over the airport and surrounding roads and a helicopter hovered overhead. After arriving, Mondlane traveled by car to a public square in central Maputo, with large crowds following him.

Thousands of Mondlane's supporters were expected to gather in Maputo for his return, prompting the clampdown by security forces, which rights groups have accused of using excessive force against post-election protesters. Authorities have said the protests were violent and needed to be subdued, but rights groups say security forces have fired live bullets at peaceful protesters, and children were among those who were killed.

Mondlane accused authorities of kidnapping and killing some anti-government protesters. But he also said he was willing to enter into negotiations with Frelimo to end months of unrest, which has disrupted the country of 33 million. Mozambique has also been battling a violent insurgency by jihadists in the north.

“I’m here in flesh and blood to say that if you want to negotiate, if you want to talk to me, if you want to come to the conversation table, I’m here,” Mondlane said.

Mondlane and other opposition candidates accused Frelimo of rigging the election and international observers reported irregularities in the vote and the alteration of some results. Mozambique’s Constitutional Council upheld Frelimo’s victory last month, making its candidate, Daniel Chapo, the president-elect. He is due to be inaugurated next week to succeed President Filipe Nyusi, who has served the maximum two terms.

Mondlane was second in the official results.

The post-election unrest has spilled over to neighboring countries, with reports of thousands of Mozambicans fleeing to Malawi. South Africa closed its border with Mozambique for several days last year after vehicles were set on fire near the crossing.

The Southern African Development Community, a regional body, has said it will send a delegation to Mozambique in an attempt to find a solution to end the turmoil.

Frelimo has often been accused of rigging elections since Mozambique held its first democratic vote in 1994 following a bloody 15-year civil war Frelimo fought against rebel group Renamo, which is now an opposition party that Mondlane once belonged to before breaking away.

The street protests in several major cities since October have been the biggest threat to Frelimo's rule since the 1977-1992 civil war.

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Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane addresses supporters from the top of a vehicle on the street in Maputo, Mozambique, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio)

Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane speaks to journalist upon his arrival, at the Mavalane International Airport in Maputo, Mozambique, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio)

Mozambique's opposition leader Venancio Mondlane arrives at the Mavalane International Airport in Maputo, Mozambique, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio)

FILE - Independent candidate Venancio Mondlane holds up his finger after casting his vote in general elections in Maputo, Mozambique, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Equeio, File)