In an unprecedented confrontation, South Korean authorities' attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was thwarted by his presidential security detail. The six-hour standoff unfolded at Yoon's official residence in Seoul, where investigators sought to detain him on charges of insurrection following his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), leading the operation, was met with formidable resistance from the Presidential Security Service and military personnel. Despite breaching initial security perimeters, investigators were ultimately blocked from accessing Yoon, prompting the CIO to suspend the arrest attempt due to safety concerns.
Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from power on December 14, has remained defiant, dismissing the arrest warrant as "illegal and invalid." His legal team contends that the warrant cannot be enforced within the presidential residence, citing laws protecting locations containing military secrets.
The political turmoil has intensified public demonstrations, with thousands of Yoon's supporters rallying near his residence, some engaging in physical confrontations with opposing protesters. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating on whether to permanently remove or reinstate Yoon, with a decision anticipated by June.
This crisis has not only deepened South Korea's political divide but also adversely affected its economy, prompting government measures to stabilize financial markets amid declining domestic growth. The situation remains volatile as the nation awaits the Constitutional Court's ruling and potential subsequent presidential election.
