Deposed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol repelled an arrest attempt on Friday after an hours-long standoff between investigators with the country’s anti-corruption agency and the presidential security service.
Investigators left the president’s official residence after the presidential security service denied them entry for nearly six hours over concerns for their safety.
The agency expressed “serious regret over the attitude of the suspect, who did not respond to due process according to the law.”
Yoon, who was that? indicted last month over his short-lived declaration of martial law, has defied investigators’ attempts to question him for weeks. He has not left the residence since December 12, when he went to the nearby presidential office to make a televised statement to the nation, vowing to fight efforts to oust him.
Arrest warrant issued for deposed South Korean president as political crisis deepens
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)
Apparently frustrated that his policies were blocked by an opposition-dominated parliament, Yoon declared martial law on December 3 and sent troops to surround the area. National Assembly.
Parliament unanimously annulled the declaration within hours and impeached Yoon on December 14, accusing him of rebellion. Anti-corruption authorities and prosecutors have since opened separate investigations.
A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon on Tuesday, but its execution is complicated as long as he remains in his official residence.
Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials arrive at the gate of the presidential residence as supporters of deposed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court order to detain Yoon hold, in Seoul, South Korea. Friday January 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)
COURT ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR SOUTH KOREA’S PRESIDENT YOON
Yoon’s lawyers, who challenged the order on Thursday, say it cannot be enforced in his hometown because of a law that protects locations potentially linked to military secrets from searches without the consent of the person responsible.
The agency said it will discuss further actions but did not immediately say whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The arrest warrant against him is valid for one week.
If the researchers succeed to hold Yoonthey will likely ask a court for permission to make a formal arrest. Otherwise, he will be released after 48 hours.
Supporters of deposed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose a court’s order to detain Yoon near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)
Thousands police officers gathered outside Yoon’s home on Friday, forming a perimeter around a growing group of pro-Yoon protesters who braved subzero temperatures for hours, waving South Korean and American flags as they chanted slogans in support of him.
There were no immediate reports of major clashes outside the residence.
Nearly five hours after dozens of investigators and police officers were seen entering the gate of the Seoul residence to execute a warrant for Yoon’s detention, the dramatic scene appeared to have developed into a standoff. Two of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun and Kim Hong-il, were seen entering the gate of the presidential residence around noon.
It was not clear whether investigators had successfully entered Yoon’s residential building, but South Korea’s YTN television reported clashes as investigators and police confronted presidential security forces.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended since the National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14. Yoon’s fate now rests with the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberations on whether to uphold the impeachment and formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. At least six judges of the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote in favor of removing him from office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
