Impeached South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday blocked an attempted arrest on Friday after hours of standoff between investigators and the country's anti-corruption agency and presidential security.
Investigators left the presidential palace after the presidential security service barred them from entering for nearly six hours due to concerns for their safety.
The agency expressed “deep regret for the actions of the suspect, who did not respond to law enforcement.”
Yoon, who was there was charged last month regarding his temporary declaration of martial law, he has resisted 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 public, vowing to fight efforts to oust him.
ASSISTANCE GUARANTEE RECEIVED FROM SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT AS POLITICAL PROBLEMS BREAK.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Apparently frustrated that his policies were blocked by the opposition-dominated parliament, Yoon declared martial law on December 3 and sent troops around. National Assembly.
Parliament reversed the announcement hours later by a unanimous vote and impeached Yoon on December 14, charging him with treason. Meanwhile, anti-corruption authorities and public prosecutors have opened separate investigations.
A Seoul court issued a warrant for Yoon's arrest on Tuesday, but confirming it is difficult as long as he remains in his official residence.
Investigators from the Office of Corruption Investigation for Senior Officials arrive at the gate of the presidential palace as supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol march to protest the court's issuance of an arrest warrant Yoon, Seoul, South Korea, Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
COURT ARRESTS EXPECTED TO ARREST SOUTH KOREA PRESIDENT YOON
Yoon's lawyers, who filed a challenge to the warrant on Thursday, said it could not be used at his home because of a law that protects areas that may be related to military secrets from being searched without the permission of the person in charge.
The office said it would discuss further actions, but did not immediately say whether it would make further efforts to arrest Yoon. The warrant for his detention is one week.
If the researchers control to catch Yoonthey may request the court's permission to be arrested. Otherwise, you will be released after 48 hours.
Supporters of accused South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold a rally to protest a court that issued a warrant to arrest Yoon, near the presidential palace in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Thousands of the police gathered at Yoon's home on Friday, forming a perimeter around a growing group of pro-Yoon protesters who braved freezing temperatures for hours, waving South Korean and American flags as they sing slogans of his support.
There were no immediate reports of major clashes outside the residence.
About five hours after dozens of investigators and police officers were seen entering the gate of a residence in Seoul to issue a warrant for Yoon's arrest, the strange scene appeared to have turned into chaos. . Two of Yoon's lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun and Kim Hong-il, were seen entering the gate of the presidential palace around noon.
It was unclear whether investigators successfully entered Yoon's residence, but South Korea's YTN television reported clashes as investigators and police clashed with the president's security forces.
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Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended since the National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14. Yoon's fate is now with the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberations on whether to uphold the charge and formally remove Yoon or reinstate him. At least six judges of the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote for his dismissal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.