South Korean investigators have suspended their efforts to enforce an arrest warrant for embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol, hours into a standoff at the presidential compound in Seoul. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) approached within a couple hundred meters of Yoon’s residence but was blocked by around 200 soldiers and members of the presidential security detail. Citing safety concerns, the investigators called off the arrest warrant enforcement on Friday afternoon.
The arrest warrant, valid until January 6, remains in effect, and if taken into custody, Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours for questioning related to charges of abuse of authority and leading an insurrection. The CIO will need to apply for a secondary warrant within that period to detain him further.
President Yoon has refused to answer three summonses by investigators in recent weeks, and his refusal has been described as “attitude of not following the process by law.” He declared martial law in December, but it was swiftly overturned after widespread public backlash. Yoon’s actions have plunged the nation into political chaos, with his own party turning against him.
Supporters gathered near the presidential residence to express their opposition to the warrant, holding signs and waving American flags. The main opposition party has released a statement urging the presidential security team to cooperate and “firmly refuse” any unlawful orders.
The situation is ongoing, with Yoon’s impeachment proceedings set to begin on January 14. A separate trial will decide whether he will be formally removed from the presidency or reinstated to office.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/02/asia/south-korea-president-arrest-warrant-hnk-latam-intl/index.html