Security Forces Block Arrest Attempt of South Korea’s Impeached President
South Korean investigators attempting to execute an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Investigators are reported to have entered his compound on Friday but faced resistance from presidential security forces, marking the first potential arrest of a sitting president in the country’s history.
Officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials breached the compound’s outer perimeter around 7 a.m. (2200 GMT Thursday), navigating past a bus and an armored vehicle, only to confront cordons of Presidential Security Service personnel and military troops inside.
The attempted arrest stems from Yoon’s December 3 martial law declaration, which was reversed within six hours after 190 lawmakers defied military cordons to vote against the order. He faces criminal investigation for insurrection, one of few charges not covered by presidential immunity.
Outside the compound, hundreds of protesters gathered to support Yoon, with some calling themselves “patriotic citizens” — a term the president used to describe his defenders.
Yoon’s legal team declared the arrest warrant invalid, promising legal action against what they termed an unlawful execution attempt. The warrant remains viable until January 6, allowing investigators 48 hours to hold Yoon if arrested.
The crisis has already claimed several high-ranking officials. Army chief Park An-su, who briefly served as martial law commander during last month’s declaration, and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun have been indicted on insurrection charges.
Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from power on December 14, faces a parallel proceeding at the Constitutional Court, which will determine whether to permanently remove him from office. The court’s second hearing is scheduled for later today.
Reuters reported that the standoff at the presidential compound continued as of 1 p.m. local time, with the PSS maintaining its position that authorities are not permitted to search Yoon’s residence.
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