SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korean investigators with the anti-corruption investigative unit on Friday failed to arrest the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol and left the presidential residence after being blocked by the presidential security service.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) said the continued confrontation virtually made it impossible to execute the arrest warrant against Yoon, which was the first in the country's constitutional history that an arrest warrant has been issued against a sitting president.
WHAT HAPPENED
The CIO reportedly decided to carry out the arrest operation early Friday morning to minimize possible clashes with Yoon's supporters, who were expected to gather in larger numbers later in the day.
The Seoul Western District Court on Dec. 31 issued the arrest warrant for Yoon, citing allegations of insurrection, along with a search warrant for the presidential residence. The warrant is valid until Jan. 6.
However, Yoon's legal team on the same day after the issuance of the warrant issued a statement asserting that the arrest and search warrants requested by an agency lacking jurisdiction over insurrection charges are illegal and invalid.
Since then, conservative supporters opposing Yoon's impeachment began gathering near the presidential residence. On Jan. 1, Yoon addressed his supporters in a letter, pledging to "fight to the end," which was interpreted by local media as a call to resist the warrant's execution.
At around 7:21 a.m. on Friday, a team of 150 personnel, including 30 CIO officials and 120 police officers, arrived at the presidential residence. To prevent potential clashes, over 2,800 additional police officers were deployed around the residence. On the previous day, police dispersed Yoon's supporters to secure access to the residence.
The CIO stopped the execution operation at about 1:30 p.m. local time after being blocked by the presidential security service, expressing deep regret over the attitude of Yoon who refused to comply with legal procedures.
The investigative unit added that it will decide on future measures after relevant reviews.
WHY DID THE ARREST FAIL
Although Yoon's presidential duties have been suspended due to impeachment, he remains the sitting president and continues to receive protection from the security service, which operates under his command.
Since Yoon declared martial law, the security service has followed his orders and blocked investigators from entering the residence, citing the Presidential Security Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.
Although the court clarified that the warrant was not subject to the Criminal Procedure Act, the security service insisted on following "legal procedures" for security measures.
Reports indicated that the security service invoked a clause in the Presidential Security Act allowing entry restrictions for security purposes.
While 80 CIO personnel managed to enter the residence area and breach two security lines, they were stopped in front of the main building. The law enforcement presented the warrant to the security service director, who, however refused entry, citing the Presidential Security Act.
WHAT'S NEXT
After a five-hour standoff, the CIO announced that it was suspending the operation due to safety concerns. With only three days left before the warrant expires, the chances of successful execution appear slim unless the security service relents.
The CIO has filed charges against the security service's leaders for obstructing justice and summoned them for questioning.
The CIO is considering its next steps, including pressuring Acting President Choi Sang-mok to request the security service's cooperation.
If successful, Yoon would be taken to the CIO office in Gwacheon for questioning and later detained at the Seoul Detention Center. The investigation would be recorded, and the CIO would have 48 hours to decide whether to seek a detention warrant.
Should the current warrant expire without execution, the CIO may reapply or directly request a detention warrant again. ■