It was another call to action Friday for the South Korean protest movement, which clashed with security forces just a month ago to resist President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.
Those early mass protests paid off: Mr. Yoon's surprise declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 prompted the National Assembly to impeach him and launch an investigation into whether he led the uprising.
But over the past weeks, paralysis and polarization have set in. Protesters found it on the roads outside Mr. Yoon's official residence.
Many of Mr Yoon's supporters were already there. They had rushed to his quarters on Friday morning after being shocked by the news that he had gone into custody over his declaration of martial law last month. Other Yoon supporters it had been there for daysCamped on the sidewalk near his home in central Seoul, he vowed to resist any attempt to arrest him.
After hours of trying to get past Mr. Yoon's supporters and running into his outnumbered personal security team, law enforcement pulled back. A warrant for his detention pending formal questioning has not been executed.
Thousands of anti-Yoon protesters faced thousands of Yoon supporters. For his supporters, it was a moment of joy and defiance. One of bitter disappointment to his detractors.
“I'm so angry,” said Lee Ye-Seul, 19, a university student in Seoul, as she marched toward Mr. Yoon's residence with a crowd of protesters calling for her arrest.
Protesters occupied part of the road near Mr. Yoon's residence and planned to set up camp for the night. “Stop and arrest Yon Suk Yeol immediately!” they read the signs they held. “Let's destroy the accomplices, sympathizers and rebel party!”
Kim Yoon-hyeong, 20, called the presence of Mr. Yoon's supporters “an attempt by the far right to protect their interests” and rejected their claims. He said that Mr. Yoon cannot stay in power.
“It makes no sense to leave the person who declared martial law against the country in office.
Kang Hye-sun, 57, joined the pro-Yoon protest on Friday afternoon after seeing news of the plan to detain her. He learned on YouTube that his supporters were near his residence.
“Yon Suk Yeol fights alone,” she said through tears. He added that he believes there was voter fraud in last year's election, when his ruling party lost its majority in the National Assembly.
He was holding a poster with the slogan “Stop Theft” popularized by former President Donald J. Trump to cast doubt on the results of the 2020 US presidential election, which he lost.
“What's happening to Trump is happening to Yoon Suk Yeol,” he said.
Nearby, leaders of pro-Yoon protests have made similar claims of conspiracy over massive voter fraud in recent elections and called Mr. Yoon's impeachment by the National Assembly invalid.
One pro-Yoon protester waved a cane at marchers calling for Yoon's arrest, shouting, “What country are you from?” he shouted. Some anti-Yoon marchers called on police to arrest a pro-Yoon protester they accused of spitting at the crowd from a crosswalk overlooking the street.
However, police officers in neon yellow jackets surrounded both groups of protesters. There was tension, raised voices, and occasional gunfire, but no overt violence.
As darkness fell, leaders of the protest calling for the impeached president's arrest called on demonstrators who had begun camping on the road outside Yoon's residence to sit down.
Thousands of protesters shouted “Yon Suk Yeol, arrest him!” continued to chant slogans. while sitting on the cold asphalt. Temperatures in Seoul were expected to drop to 17 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, after just above freezing on Friday.
Ms. Lee, who planned to spend the night outside, said she wore a thick winter coat and brought an extra vest in her backpack.
“I will speak until he is removed and those involved in the uprising are punished,” he said.