South Korean authorities canceled their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his unsuccessful martial law initiative due to a standoff at his residence.
“In light of today’s arrest warrant execution, it was concluded that carrying out the operation was effectively impossible due to the ongoing standoff. Our concern for the safety of personnel at the scene led to the decision to cease the execution,” stated the Corruption Investigation Office.
Earlier, officials approached Mr. Yoon’s compound to enforce an unprecedented arrest warrant, maneuvering past a gathering of protesters outside, but were met with presidential security forces inside.
It remains uncertain whether the Presidential Security Service (PSS), which has previously obstructed investigators using a search warrant from accessing Mr. Yoon’s office and official residence, would attempt to prevent his arrest.
The potential arrest would mark the first instance of an incumbent South Korean president being apprehended.
Yoon Suk-Yeol addressed the nation during the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3rd.
Officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), leading a joint task force that includes police and prosecutors, arrived at the entrance of Mr. Yoon’s compound shortly after 7 AM (10 PM Irish time the previous evening), as reported by witnesses from Reuters.
The CIO vehicles were initially unable to enter the compound, partially due to a bus obstructing the driveway.
Some CIO officials subsequently entered through an open gate on foot, circumventing the bus, but then briefly encountered another bus and an armored vehicle further along the driveway before they gained access.
Upon entering the compound, the CIO and accompanying police faced barriers set up by PSS personnel as well as military troops assigned to presidential security, according to media reports. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the troops were under PSS command.
As cited by Yonhap news agency, the head of the PSS stated that authorities were prohibited from searching Mr. Yoon’s residence.
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wave US and South Korean flags while protesting near the presidential residence in Seoul.
Mr. Yoon’s legal representative asserted in a statement that executing an invalid arrest warrant against him is unlawful, and they intend to take legal action, although details were not provided.
Protesters began gathering in the early hours near the residence, with numbers swelling into the hundreds amid media reports that investigating authorities were set to execute the arrest warrant approved on Tuesday, following Mr. Yoon’s refusal to comply with a summons.
“We have to block them with our lives,” one protester was heard telling others.
Others chanted, “President Yoon Suk Yeol will be protected by the people,” and demanded the arrest of the CIO’s head.
Pyeong In-su, 74, remarked that the police had to be halted by “patriotic citizens,” a term Mr. Yoon previously used to describe those standing guard near his residence.
Holding flags of the United States and South Korea emblazoned with “Let’s go together” in English and Korean, Pyeong expressed hope that incoming US President Donald Trump would come to Mr. Yoon’s assistance.
“I hope after Trump’s inauguration he can use his influence to help our country return to a proper path,” he stated.
The current arrest warrant is valid until January 6, granting investigators only 48 hours to detain Mr. Yoon post-arrest. They must then decide whether to request a detention warrant or release him.
Following an arrest, it is anticipated that Mr. Yoon would be held at the Seoul Detention Center, as reported by Yonhap News Agency, citing the CIO.
Surprise martial law was declared
Mr. Yoon sent shockwaves throughout the country with a late-night announcement on December 3 that he was enacting martial law to overcome political stalemate and eliminate “anti-state forces.”
Within hours, however, 190 members of parliament had defied military and police barriers to vote against Mr. Yoon’s order. Approximately six hours after his initial decree, Mr. Yoon revoked it.
He subsequently issued a firm defense of his decision, claiming domestic political adversaries were sympathetic to North Korea and alleging unverified instances of election manipulation.
Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned as Mr. Yoon’s defense minister following significant involvement in the martial law declaration, was detained and indicted the previous week on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
Insurrection is among the few criminal charges for which a South Korean president lacks immunity.
Mr. Yoon’s attorneys have declared the arrest warrant illegal and invalid, arguing that the CIO lacked the authority under South Korean law to issue such a warrant.
Since being impeached and suspended from power on December 14, Mr. Yoon has remained isolated.
In addition to the criminal investigation, his impeachment case is currently being reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which will determine whether to reinstate or permanently remove him.
A second hearing in this matter is slated for later today.
