South Korean investigators suspend attempt to arrest Yoon after standoff

Credit: NAN

Investigators attempting to deliver a warrant on Friday to detain impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol have abandoned their efforts following a lengthy standoff with presidential security personnel, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The Corruption Investigation Office responsible for executing the arrest warrant told the press that it had halted the execution of the warrant at 1:30 pm (0430 GMT), around five hours after investigators had arrived at the presidential residence to detain Yoon, Yonhap reported.

According to the agency, investigators were denied entrance into the presidential residence by the presidential security service.

“We determined that executing the detention warrant would be practically impossible due to the continued confrontation, and suspended the execution out of concern for the safety of on-site personnel caused by the resistance,” Yonhap quoted the office as saying.

“We plan to decide on the next steps following a review,” the office added.

The office has until Monday to execute the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, Yonhap reported.

The charges stem from Yoon’s ill-fated attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

Meanwhile, one of Yoon’s lawyers announced plans to legally challenge the “invalid” and “illegal” arrest order, according to Yonhap.

Yoon’s defence team reportedly already attempted to obtain an injunction against the arrest order for abuse of power and sedition, which a court had previously approved, at the Constitutional Court.

Since New Year’s Day, numerous supporters of Yoon have been protesting against his arrest in front of the president’s official residence and have blocked access.

Investigators intend to question Yoon regarding the imposition of martial law a month ago, which they say plunged the country into a state crisis.

So far, he has ignored three summonses from prosecutors. Yoon’s defenders called the order “illegal,” according to Yonhap.

dpa/NAN