Yoon’s defense says execution of arrest warrant “illegal”
South Korean authorities on Friday suspended the execution of an arrest warrant against ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law, following an hours-long standoff between investigators and presidential security personnel.
The state anti-corruption agency said it halted execution of the warrant at 1:30 p.m. (local time), approximately five hours after its investigators arrived at the presidential residence to arrest Yoon.
“We have determined that execution of the arrest warrant would be virtually impossible due to the ongoing confrontation and have suspended execution out of fear for the safety of personnel on site due to resistance,” reads a statement reported by South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The CIO, which has until Monday to execute the arrest warrant, said it plans to decide on next steps after analyzing the situation and expressed “deep regret over the behavior” of Yoon, who has refused to comply with legally established procedures.
Early in the morning, a military unit currently in charge of guarding the official residence and controlled by the Secret Service blocked the entrance to investigators from the state anti-corruption agency. They then clashed for hours with the Presidential Security Service.
According to sources consulted by the aforementioned news agency, some 200 security agents were creating a wall, making entry impossible. In addition, there were more than a dozen vehicles blocking the road. There were “large and small physical fights,” so they decided to stop the operation due to security concerns.
Investigators had entered the presidential residence to execute the arrest warrant against Yoon, while thousands of supporters of the president had gathered outside the building to oppose the measure and block his arrest. Those present chanted “illegal court order, completely invalid” and “arrest the CIO.”
Police had said that anyone who tried to prevent officers from executing the arrest warrant would be arrested on charges of obstructing official duties. However, a police official said that no one had been arrested on those charges during the day.
Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team has called the warrants “illegal and invalid” and has filed a court order against their execution. However, the agency requested the order after the head of state ignored summons issued to appear for his actions in declaring martial law on December 3.
