In a dramatic escalation of South Korea's political crisis, presidential guards and military personnel on Friday prevented the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol during a tense six-hour standoff at the presidential compound in Seoul. Yoon faces criminal charges of insurrection tied to his December 3 declaration of martial law, a move that stunned the nation and led to the issuance of South Korea’s first arrest warrant for a sitting president.
Standoff at the Presidential Compound
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), leading the inquiry, attempted to execute the arrest warrant early Friday morning. However, they were met with significant resistance. Hundreds of Yoon supporters, gathered near the compound before dawn, vowed to block the arrest "with our lives," chanting slogans such as "President Yoon Suk Yeol will be protected by the people" and calling for the arrest of the CIO chief.
CIO officials and police entered the compound at approximately 7 a.m. but encountered a robust defense from the Presidential Security Service (PSS) and military personnel seconded to presidential security. A CIO official reported that as many as 200 guards formed a human chain to prevent their advance.
Citing concerns for the safety of their personnel, the CIO suspended the arrest effort at 1:30 p.m., expressing “deep regret” over Yoon's refusal to cooperate. The agency vowed to deliberate on its next steps, as the arrest warrant remains valid until January 6.
Legal and Political Fallout
Insurrection is one of the few charges that does not afford South Korean presidents immunity. The arrest warrant, approved by a court on Tuesday after Yoon repeatedly ignored summons, would allow investigators to detain him for up to 48 hours, after which they must decide whether to pursue a longer detention or release him.
Yoon, who has been isolated since his impeachment on December 14, dismissed the CIO’s authority in a statement issued through his legal team, describing the arrest effort as "illegal and invalid." His legal team also warned police against aiding the CIO.
The interim leader of Yoon’s People Power Party welcomed the suspension, urging that the investigation proceed without detaining the former president.
Martial Law Controversy
Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law on December 3 sent shockwaves through South Korea, a vibrant democracy and Asia's fourth-largest economy. He justified the move as necessary to overcome political paralysis and root out “anti-state forces.” However, the decree was met with overwhelming opposition.
Within hours of the announcement, 190 lawmakers defied military and police cordons to vote against the order, forcing Yoon to rescind the decree just six hours later. His decision drew widespread criticism, particularly for citing unverified claims of election tampering and accusing political opponents of being sympathetic to North Korea.
Two military officials, including Army Chief Park An-su—who was named martial law commander—have since been indicted on charges of insurrection. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure in the martial law declaration, was detained last week on similar charges.
Constitutional Court Hearing
Separate from the criminal investigation, Yoon’s impeachment is being reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to reinstate or permanently remove him from office. A second hearing in the impeachment case is scheduled for later Friday.
What’s Next?
The political and legal turmoil surrounding Yoon Suk Yeol underscores the deep divisions within South Korea’s political landscape. As investigators weigh their next move, the Constitutional Court's decision could prove pivotal in shaping the country’s immediate political future. Meanwhile, the fallout from the martial law declaration continues to ripple through South Korea’s military and political institutions, with further indictments expected in the coming weeks.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.