In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean investigators were unable to arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol at his official residence in Seoul due to a six-hour standoff with his security detail. The arrest warrant, issued on charges of abuse of power and insurrection following Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law in December, remains unexecuted.
The confrontation began when a team of 20 officers arrived at the presidential residence around 08:00 local time, intending to detain the impeached president. Their numbers swelled to 80 within an hour, but they were met with a formidable human shield of approximately 200 Presidential Security Service guards and loyalists, effectively blocking access to Yoon.
Despite the issuance of the arrest warrant, Yoon’s legal team has labeled the attempt illegal, asserting that only the Prosecutor’s Office holds the authority to execute such a warrant. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), responsible for the arrest attempt, is now investigating the Presidential Security Service officials for obstruction.
Yoon’s impeachment by parliament in December stemmed from his unilateral declaration of martial law, a move that has plunged South Korea into political turmoil. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating on whether to uphold his impeachment, a decision that will determine Yoon’s political fate.
As the situation develops, the arrest warrant remains valid until January 6, leaving open the possibility of further attempts to detain the president. Yoon’s refusal to step down and the steadfast support from his security detail continue to complicate the nation’s political landscape.
MMC News Desk
