In a dramatic standoff, South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol successfully resisted an attempt by anti-corruption investigators to detain him at his official residence on Friday. Presidential security personnel barred investigators from entering for nearly six hours, citing security concerns, leading to expressions of "deep disappointment" from the agency regarding the president's perceived lack of cooperation with legal processes.
Yoon has been challenging investigators' attempts to question him for weeks, remaining confined to his residence since a December 12th address to the nation. This follows his impeachment last month stemming from a controversial, short-lived martial law declaration. He has vowed to fight the efforts to remove him from office.
The president's defiance comes amidst a deepening political crisis sparked by his December 3rd declaration of martial law and deployment of troops around the National Assembly. This move, seemingly prompted by frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament blocking his policies, was swiftly overturned by a unanimous parliamentary vote. Subsequent to the impeachment vote on December 14th, accusations of rebellion arose, leading to separate investigations by anti-corruption authorities and public prosecutors.
A court-issued detention warrant further complicated the situation. Yoon's legal team argues that the warrant cannot be executed at his residence due to legal protections afforded to locations potentially connected to military secrets. These protections require consent from the individual in charge before a search can be conducted.
While the anti-corruption office is considering its next steps, the warrant remains valid for one week. If Yoon is detained, investigators are expected to seek a formal arrest warrant from the court. Without a formal arrest, he would be released after 48 hours.
The standoff unfolded against a backdrop of protests by Yoon's supporters, who gathered outside the residence despite freezing temperatures. A large police presence maintained a perimeter around the demonstrators, who displayed flags and voiced their support for the embattled president. No major clashes were reported.
With Yoon's presidential powers suspended since the impeachment vote, his political future now rests with the Constitutional Court. The court's decision, requiring at least six of nine justices to vote in favor, will determine whether he is permanently removed from office or reinstated.
