Seoul, Jan 2 (NationPress) South Korea's investigators refrained from executing a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday as thousands gathered outside his residence to prevent his arrest.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) received authorization on Tuesday to detain Yoon due to allegations of insurrection and abuse of power linked to his declaration of martial law on December 3. Nevertheless, the office is reportedly assessing approaches to address concerns regarding the warrant's legality and is considering the most suitable timing for its execution.

The warrant is due to expire next Monday, which has led to speculation that the CIO could attempt to detain Yoon as soon as Friday.

There are ongoing worries about potential confrontations between Yoon's supporters and law enforcement.

On Thursday, around 30 supporters were forcibly removed by police after they breached a police barrier to protest at the entrance of the presidential residence.

Supporters were carried away by officers, some shouting the president's name, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

Yoon is now the first active South Korean president facing the possibility of arrest.

In a message to his supporters outside his residence on Wednesday, Yoon asserted that the nation is under threat "due to internal and external forces undermining its sovereignty and actions by anti-state groups."

"With your support, I will fight to the end to defend this country," he declared in his message.

On Thursday, Yoon's attorney stated that if police proceed with the warrant execution on behalf of the CIO, the presidential security service would have the authority to arrest them for abuse of power and obstruction of justice.

Simultaneously, Yoon's legal team has submitted a request to suspend the warrant's effects, labeling it "illegal."

Earlier in the day, they also filed an objection against the execution of the detention warrant, as well as a search warrant for the presidential residence.

The CIO sought the warrants after Yoon ignored all three summonses to attend questioning as part of its collaborative investigation with police and the defense ministry's investigation unit regarding the martial law declaration.

While warrants are typically executed promptly once issued, the CIO seems to be cautious about the timing and method of execution, especially given the target is a sitting president.

The presidential security service has indicated it would implement security measures in alignment with due process following the issuance of the warrants, suggesting it may continue to protect Yoon rather than assist investigators.

The CIO has committed to enforcing the warrants.

The search warrant included an exception to regulations governing searches in areas containing military or official secrets without prior consent.

The security service had previously halted investigators from raiding the presidential office on these grounds.

An official from the security service informed Yonhap News Agency that it has not yet verified if the exception is outlined in the warrant.

Oh Dong-woon, the CIO chief, urged the security service on Wednesday to cooperate, warning that any effort to obstruct the execution of the warrants could be seen as neglect of duty and obstruction of justice.

Should Yoon be arrested, investigators plan to transport him to the CIO's headquarters in Gwacheon, located just south of Seoul, for questioning prior to his detention at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, near the CIO's office.

Once detained, the CIO has 48 hours to either request an additional warrant for Yoon's formal arrest for extended detention or release him.