South Korean investigators have suspended their attempt to enforce an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, following a tense standoff at the presidential compound, CNN reports.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) had launched the operation to detain Yoon for questioning in multiple investigations, including accusations of leading an insurrection, following his controversial and short-lived martial law declaration last month.
Some 80 police and investigators entered the presidential compound in Seoul early Friday morning, aiming to take Yoon into custody. However, they were met by a “human wall” of around 200 soldiers and members of the presidential security detail, blocking their access to Yoon’s residence. The CIO reported several altercations of “varying intensity” during the attempted operation.
Ultimately, the CIO called off the arrest warrant enforcement, citing concerns for the safety of those present at the scene. The warrant, valid until January 6, remains in effect and could be extended. The move follows a court approval earlier in the week, making Yoon the first sitting president to face such action.
The situation is the culmination of weeks of escalating political turmoil, triggered by Yoon’s sudden martial law declaration on December 3, which was met with widespread public backlash and swift reversal by the National Assembly. Members of his own party joined the opposition in voting to impeach him following his refusal to resign. Yoon has been stripped of his presidential powers and faces multiple investigations.
Despite being ordered to cooperate, Yoon, a former prosecutor himself, has refused to respond to three summonses from investigators. The CIO expressed “deep regret” at his defiance and stated that it is “virtually impossible to execute a warrant” at his residence while the current security arrangement remains in place. The CIO has vowed to “strongly request” that acting President Choi Sang-mok orders the security team to comply with the arrest warrant.
Yoon’s legal team has called the arrest warrant “illegal and invalid,” vowing to take legal action against its execution. They have also filed an injunction with the Constitutional Court to suspend the warrant. If taken into custody, Yoon can be held for questioning for up to 48 hours, with further detention requiring a secondary warrant.
Yoon has maintained a defiant stance, stating in a letter to supporters that he would “fight to the end” for the country. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, has called on Yoon to cooperate with the arrest warrant and cease “cowardly hiding” in his residence.
The current crisis stems from Yoon’s martial law declaration, which was presented as necessary to “safeguard a liberal South Korea.” However, it evoked painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past. In the subsequent political chaos, Parliament has also voted to impeach the prime minister and acting president, Han Duck-soo.
New allegations have emerged about the events leading up to the reversal of the martial law order. It is now alleged that Yoon ordered troops to use firearms to break through doors if necessary to remove lawmakers gathered inside the National Assembly. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested last month for abuse of power in connection with this operation.
Yoon’s impeachment proceedings will be handled in a separate Constitutional Court trial, scheduled to begin on January 14. The trial can last up to six months.
