🇰🇷 In a dramatic turn of events, South Korean investigators left the presidential residence empty-handed after failing to arrest the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday. The anti-corruption investigative unit, known as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), faced a tense standoff that lasted over five hours. 😮
The arrest warrant, issued by a Seoul court on Tuesday, marked the first time in the country's modern history that such action was taken against a sitting president. Yoon, accused of being a ringleader in an insurrection, had declared martial law on the night of December 3—only for it to be swiftly revoked by the National Assembly hours later. 🕰️
Following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14, Yoon's presidential powers were suspended pending a constitutional court's deliberation, which could take up to 180 days. During this period, the nation watches with bated breath to see how the political drama unfolds. 🎭
Tense Standoff at the Presidential Residence 🏰
The CIO expressed deep regret over Yoon's refusal to comply with legal procedures, stating that concerns over the safety of investigators made it impossible to execute the arrest warrant. The warrant remains valid until next Monday, but future measures will be decided after careful review. 📅
Investigators and police officers attempted to arrest Yoon at his residence in central Seoul. However, they were met with resistance from the presidential security service agents. The confrontation began around 7:21 a.m. local time and continued for five and a half hours. ⏳
Despite pushing past the first cordon of policemen and the second line of soldiers, investigators faced the final barrier of security agents inside the residence. Some scuffles broke out, but no injuries have been confirmed. The CIO had warned that obstructing the arrest would constitute a crime. ⚠️
Approximately 2,700 riot policemen were reportedly deployed around the residence to assist with the arrest warrant execution. The scene resembled a high-stakes movie, capturing the nation's attention. 🎥
What's Next for South Korea? 🌐
The CIO has formed a joint investigation unit with the National Office of Investigation and the Defense Ministry's investigation headquarters to probe Yoon's martial law imposition. As the constitutional court deliberates, South Koreans are left wondering about the future of their leadership and the implications for democracy in the country. 🤔
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. 📢
Reference(s):
What happens next after S. Korean investigators fail to arrest Yoon?
cgtn.com
