Seoul, South Korea – In a dramatic turn of events, investigators from South Korea’s anti-corruption unit attempted to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol at the presidential residence on January 3, 2025, but were met with resistance. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had obtained an arrest warrant from a Seoul court earlier in the week, but the operation was ultimately halted due to safety concerns for the investigators.
The confrontation occurred when CIO prosecutors and police attempted to execute the warrant related to Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3, 2024. The warrant was issued following allegations that Yoon played a central role in an insurrection charge. As the investigators faced off against presidential security personnel, they decided to withdraw around 1:30 p.m. local time, expressing regret over Yoon’s refusal to comply with legal procedures.
The attempted arrest has raised questions about the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea, particularly as Yoon’s impeachment motion was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 and is currently under review by the constitutional court. The situation highlights the complexities of enforcing legal proceedings against high-ranking officials amidst intense public scrutiny and political strife.