South Korea: Investigators Cease Efforts to Detain Impeached President Yoon Following Standoff at Presidential Residence

Seoul, Jan 3 (NationPress) South Korea's anti-corruption agency has suspended its endeavor to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol due to his failed martial law initiative, following an extended standoff involving investigators and presidential security staff.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) announced that it halted the execution of the warrant at 1:30 pm, approximately five-and-a-half hours after the investigators reached the presidential residence with the intention to detain Yoon, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.

"We assessed that carrying out the detention warrant would be practically impossible due to the ongoing confrontation and suspended the execution out of concern for the safety of personnel present, which was compromised by the resistance," stated the CIO in a press release. "We will determine our next actions following a thorough review."

"We express significant disappointment regarding the behavior of the suspect who declined to adhere to established legal procedures," they added.

A CIO representative later informed reporters that investigators managed to approach within 200 meters of the residence but were obstructed from advancing any further.

"More than 10 buses or vehicles were obstructing the route, and around 200 members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) or military formed barriers, making any further progress impossible," the official explained, noting that the team attempting to execute the warrant consisted of 20 individuals from the CIO along with 80 police personnel. "I understand there were various scuffles at different stages of the operation."

The official noted that three prosecutors were permitted to approach the front of the residence but not allowed inside, complicating efforts to ascertain whether the president was present.

However, the prosecutors did confer with two of Yoon's lawyers — Yun Gap-geun and Kim Hong-il — who reiterated their stance that the president could not comply with a warrant deemed "illegitimate" issued to an agency not authorized to investigate insurrection allegations.

The CIO has a deadline until Monday to execute the detention warrant concerning charges of insurrection and abuse of power tied to Yoon's brief imposition of martial law on December 3.

Supporters of Yoon have held rallies outside the presidential residence, complicating the CIO's efforts and raising the risk of confrontations with the PSS.

Over 1,000 pro-Yoon demonstrators gathered near the residence on Friday morning. Surrounded by approximately 2,700 police officers assigned to maintain order, they chanted: "Illegal warrant. Totally invalid" and "Arrest the CIO."

Upon learning of the CIO's withdrawal, the demonstrators, whose numbers swelled to an estimated 11,000 according to police, erupted in cheers, exclaiming "We triumphed" while waving South Korean and US flags and chanting the president's name.

In contrast, anti-Yoon demonstrators, led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, pledged to hold an overnight protest near the residence demanding Yoon's arrest.

The CIO had been anticipated to attempt to detain Yoon on Friday, as executing the warrant over the weekend could risk facing even larger crowds, while a Monday execution would be too close to the deadline.

The CIO has partnered with the police and the defense ministry's investigation unit to conduct a collaborative investigation into Yoon's failed martial law initiative.

During the attempted arrest on Friday, investigators presented their court-issued warrants to detain Yoon and search the presidential residence, but entry was denied by PSS chief Park Chong-jun, who cited restrictions on secured areas.

Prior to confronting the PSS, the investigators also faced resistance from a military unit stationed on the compound.

The CIO sought the detention warrant after Yoon disregarded three summonses to appear for questioning. The agency also secured a warrant to search the presidential residence.

Yoon's legal defense team has labeled the warrants as "illegal and invalid" and has filed for an injunction against their execution.

On Friday, Yun informed Yonhap News Agency that they would pursue "legal action" against the CIO's efforts.

Police had warned that anyone obstructing the CIO from executing the detention warrant would face custody on charges of obstructing official duties. However, a police official confirmed that no arrests were made on such charges on Friday.

The joint investigation team later disclosed that PSS chief Park and his deputy were booked on suspicion of obstructing special official duties and have been asked to appear for questioning on Saturday.

Investigators had planned to arrest Yoon and transport him to the CIO's headquarters in Gwacheon, located just south of Seoul, for questioning before detaining him at the Seoul Detention Center in nearby Uiwang.

Once detained, the CIO would have 48 hours to seek another warrant for his formal arrest or release him.