Investigators Halt Attempt to Arrest Impeached South Korean President Yoon After Standoff Over Martial Law

Jan 2, 2025, 11:27 PM

South Korean investigators attempted to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on January 2-3, 2025, following his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024. Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from office, has vowed to 'fight until the end' against what he calls 'anti-state forces.' He sent a letter rallying his conservative supporters, who have gathered outside his residence, facing off with police and vowing to block any attempt to detain him. Investigators from the anti-corruption agency entered the presidential compound to execute the arrest warrant but were confronted by the presidential security service and a military unit, leading to a standoff. The investigators eventually suspended the arrest attempt. Yoon's legal team has called the arrest warrant execution 'illegal' and vowed legal action.