On January 3, 2025, South Korean presidential guards and military troops blocked the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a tense six-hour standoff at his residence in Seoul. The standoff occurred after a court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon, accusing him of insurrection. The charges stem from his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, which sent shockwaves through South Korea’s political system.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and police arrived at Yoon’s residence early in the morning to execute the warrant. They were met by hundreds of Yoon’s supporters, who had gathered in the pre-dawn hours to protest the arrest attempt. Presidential security forces, including over 200 agents and military personnel, quickly surrounded the investigators and police, preventing them from entering the compound.
The situation escalated as altercations broke out between the security personnel and the investigators. While some agents carried firearms, no weapons were used during the confrontation. The investigators and police were significantly outnumbered, and they could not proceed with the arrest. After six hours of attempting to execute the warrant, the CIO called off the operation around 1:30 p.m. They cited safety concerns for their officers as the reason for suspending the arrest. The CIO expressed regret over Yoon’s non-compliance and said they would evaluate their next steps.
Yoon’s legal team responded strongly, calling the arrest attempt illegal. They argued that the CIO had no authority to investigate the insurrection charge and criticized the handling of the situation. The legal team also filed criminal complaints against broadcasters who had filmed the presidential residence without authorization.
The investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration continues. Yoon had declared martial law to address political deadlock and remove “anti-state forces.” However, his declaration faced immediate opposition from lawmakers, leading to its swift rescindment. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Constitutional Court is reviewing the impeachment case to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him permanently from office.
The arrest warrant remains in effect until January 6, and investigators are considering their next course of action. Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise as the nation grapples with political instability.
