Impeached South Korean president escapes arrest attempt after hours-long standoff

Impeachment South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday fought off an arrest attempt after an hours-long standoff between investigators from the country’s anti-corruption agency and presidential guards.

Investigators left the president’s official residence after the presidential security service blocked their entry for nearly six hours due to concerns about their safety.

The agency expressed “serious regrets about the behavior of the suspect who did not respond to the process of law.”

Yoon, who was impeached last month because of the short-term declaration of martial law, for several weeks defied attempts by investigators to question him. He has not left the residence since December 12, when he went to the nearby presidential office to make a televised address to the nation, vowing to fight attempts to oust him.

ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR SOUTH KOREA’S IMPEACHED PRESIDENT Amid Political Crisis

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

Clearly frustrated that his policies were blocked by the opposition-dominated parliament, Yun declared martial law on December 3 and sent troops to surround National Assembly.

Parliament overturned the declaration within hours by a unanimous vote and impeached Yun on December 14, charging him with rebellion. Meanwhile, anti-corruption authorities and prosecutors have launched separate investigations.

A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon on Tuesday, but enforcement is difficult as he remains at his official residence.

Investigators from the Bureau of Corruption Investigation for High-ranking Officials arrive at the gates of the presidential residence as supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stage a protest against a court issuing an arrest warrant for Yoon in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. . (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

THE COURT ISSUED A WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA YUN

Yun’s lawyers, who appealed the warrant on Thursday, say it cannot be executed at his residence because of a law that protects places potentially related to military secrets from being searched without the consent of the person responsible.

The office said it would discuss next steps, but did not immediately say whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The term of the detention order is one week.

If the investigators succeed to detain Yoonthey will probably ask the court for permission to make a formal arrest. Otherwise, he will be released after 48 hours.

Supporters of the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol protest against the court that issued an arrest warrant for Yoon outside the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

Thousands police officers gathered at Yun’s residence on Friday, forming a perimeter around a growing group of pro-Yun protesters who braved sub-zero temperatures for hours waving South Korean and American flags while chanting slogans in support of him.

There were no immediate reports of major clashes near the residence.

Nearly five hours after dozens of investigators and police were seen at the gate of a Seoul residence to execute a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, the dramatic scene appeared to have escalated into a standoff. Two of Yun’s lawyers, Yoon Kap Geun and Kim Hong Il, were seen at the gate of the presidential residence around noon.

It is not yet clear whether investigators successfully entered Yun’s apartment building, but South Korean television YTN reported scuffles as investigators and police clashed with the president’s security forces.

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Yun’s presidential powers were suspended after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14. Yun’s fate now rests with the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberations on whether to uphold the impeachment and formally remove Yun from office or reinstate him. At least six judges of the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote to remove him from office.