Standoff in Seoul; South Korea President's Arrest Attempt Fails After Military Confrontation

seoul - The attempted arrest of the South Korean president by the anticorruption service was called off after a six-hour standoff due to practical difficulties and concerns about safety.

When the arrest warrant was halted, over ten thousand supporters of Yoon erupted in cheers. The attempt to arrest the president at the presidential residence lasted more than six hours. The order was stopped on Friday afternoon as it was 'practically impossible' to execute due to hours-long confrontations, according to the anti-corruption agency (CIO). There were also 'concerns about the safety of the personnel'.

Tensions escalated early in the morning as CIO members approached the presidential palace in Seoul. Yoon's lawyer claims this is where the suspended president is currently staying. About two hundred agents and soldiers belonging to the presidential security blocked the entrance to protect Yoon. They formed various lines, making it 'impossible to get through', as reported by the CIO.

The arrest team consisted of a smaller group: twenty CIO members and eighty police officers. In addition, Yoon's supporters tried to prevent the arrest by blocking the palace entrance. Some lay down on the street and refused to move. Approximately 2,700 police officers were deployed to maintain order.

The CIO has until Monday to execute the arrest warrant issued on Tuesday after Yoon failed to appear for questioning three times. He is accused of abuse of power and incitement to rebellion for declaring a state of emergency on December 3. If the suspended president is apprehended, he can be detained for up to 48 hours for questioning about declaring martial law.

South Korean media report that the CIO is now in a difficult position, as it has to decide whether to make a new attempt, risking further confrontations with the president's supporters.

Police warned that anyone obstructing the CIO from carrying out the order could be arrested. Yoon's legal team insists the arrest warrant is invalid and illegal, arguing that the CIO lacks investigative authority. The team has filed a court order with the Constitutional Court to suspend the warrant.

The parliament previously voted for Yoon's impeachment after he declared a state of emergency. Apart from the criminal investigation led by the CIO, the Constitutional Court will rule on the impeachment. The Court announced that the first plea will be heard on January 14, with Yoon required to attend.