SEOUL – January 3 – Presidential security forces and military personnel successfully thwarted an attempt to arrest South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at his residence in Seoul today, resulting in a tense six-hour standoff.
President Yoon is under investigation for alleged insurrection following his declaration of martial law on December 3, which led to the issuance of the first-ever arrest warrant for a sitting South Korean president.
“We believe it is impossible to execute the warrant under the current circumstances of confrontation,” stated the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which leads the investigation into Yoon’s actions.
Hundreds of Yoon supporters gathered near the president’s residence early in the morning, vowing to prevent his arrest. At approximately 7:00 AM, CIO officials and police approached the residence but were blocked by the Presidential Security Service (PSS) and around 200 military personnel, who formed a human chain to shield the president.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense confirmed that the soldiers were operating under PSS command.
By 1:30 PM, the CIO called off the operation, citing safety concerns for their personnel and expressing regret over the president’s refusal to comply with legal procedures.
President Yoon’s lawyer dismissed the arrest warrant as “invalid” and announced plans to counter-sue, though details remain unclear.
The arrest warrant, issued on December 31, is valid until January 6, allowing for a 48-hour detention if Yoon is apprehended. CIO officials stated they would reassess the situation before determining their next steps.
