The arrest attempt of suspended South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has been canceled by South Korean police following a dramatic six-hour standoff with his security detail.
Both a human wall of security guards inside the property and pro-Yoon demonstrators outside his home outnumbered the 150 participating officers. Yoon disregarded three calls to appear for interrogation, and the police were trying to carry out an arrest order that had been issued earlier in the week. Since he tried to impose martial law in early December, Yoon has been under investigation for allegedly misusing his position of authority and encouraging an uprising.
Prior to the arrest squad, which was made up of police officers and personnel of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), approaching the building at approximately 8:00 local time (23:00 GMT) on Friday morning, dozens of police vans were parked along the street outside Yoon’s home in central Seoul. A team of 20 officers started the operation and soon grew to about 150 officers, but they were still outnumbered.
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While about half of the team managed to enter the property, they were met with a lengthy standoff involving presidential security officers, who remain responsible for Yoon’s protection despite his suspension, and a military unit tasked with protecting the city of Seoul. An official with Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told news agency AFP that Yoon’s security team engaged in a “confrontation” with the investigating officers. Had the arrest been successful, Yoon would have become the first sitting president to be arrested in South Korea’s history.
The CIO has expressed that Yoon’s “refusal of the legal process” is “deeply regrettable,” particularly in light of their investigation into his short-lived martial law declaration last month. They have indicated plans to request intervention from the acting president, who is in charge of Yoon’s security service.
“Considering the situation at the site, as long as the security service continues to stand guard, the arrest is practically impossible,” the CIO stated. Yoon’s supporters, who have been camped outside the presidential residence for days, celebrated with cheers and chants as the suspension was announced. Some carried “Stop the Steal” signs, echoing similar calls made by supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump after the 2020 election.
The presidential security service has stated that they will hold the CIO and police accountable for trespassing, adding that some of their staff members were injured during the confrontation.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s Legal Challenges
This comes as no surprise, considering Yoon’s persistent defiance throughout the ongoing investigation. Experts note that as a former chief prosecutor, Yoon is acutely aware of the legal loopholes available for his defense. Investigators have until January 6 to arrest him before the current warrant expires, which raises the possibility of another attempt this weekend. However, this could prove logistically challenging due to the anticipated increase in crowds supporting Yoon.
Alternatively, authorities can apply for a new warrant and make another attempt at detaining him. Before the previous operation was called off, Yoon’s security team reported that they had been “in negotiation” with investigators seeking access to the suspended president. In a related development, police have opened a criminal case against the chief of Yoon’s security service and his deputy, summoning them for questioning, according to Yonhap. Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team was seen entering his residence shortly after noon local time.
His lawyer, Yoon Gab-keun, indicated they would pursue legal action against the arrest warrant, arguing that investigators lacked the authority to detain him. Opposition figures are also weighing in, with Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, criticizing Yoon for failing to uphold his promise to take legal and political responsibility for his failed martial law attempt. “It was a complete lie,” Park stated, urging the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) to attempt another arrest today.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO)
The CIO, established four years ago in response to public outrage over former president Park Geun-hye’s excesses, has faced scrutiny regarding its jurisdiction and effectiveness. Its inability to apprehend Yoon could be viewed as a significant setback. South Korea has been engulfed in political chaos since Yoon’s martial law attempt on December 3, leading to deep divisions within parliament between Yoon loyalists and those advocating for his removal. Protests intensified, culminating in an opposition-dominated parliament voting to impeach Yoon on December 14—a second attempt after the ruling party boycotted the first vote.
Parliament also voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo—the first time an acting president has faced impeachment since South Korea’s transition to democracy. Han was expected to guide the country through its political crisis but faced criticism from opposition MPs for allegedly resisting demands to complete Yoon’s impeachment process. On Friday, prosecutors indicted army chief Park An-su and special forces commander Kwak Jong-geun on insurrection charges related to the martial law declaration.
Both are set to face trial while in custody.
Source: cnn
