South Korea’s ousted president avoids an arrest warrant after a lengthy standoff

Johannesburg – Deposed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday denied allegations that he was arrested on Friday after a disagreement between investigators and the anti-corruption agency and the president’s security.

The investigators left the president’s residence after the president’s security forces prevented them from entering for about six hours due to concerns about their safety.

The organization expressed “deep regret for the attitude of the suspect, who did not respond to the legal process.”

Yoon, who was indicted last month for his temporary declaration of martial law, has defied investigators’ efforts to question him for weeks. He has not left this area since December 12, when he went to the nearby presidential office to make a statement on national television, vowing to fight attempts to overthrow him.

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Apparently frustrated that his policies were blocked by the opposition-dominated parliament, Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3 and sent soldiers to surround the National Assembly.

Parliament rejected the announcement within hours by a single vote and impeached Yoon on December 14, accusing him of treason. Anti-corruption authorities and public prosecutors have opened separate investigations.

A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon on Tuesday, but enforcing it is difficult as long as he remains in his official residence.

Investigators from the Office of High-Level Corruption Investigation arrived at the gate of the presidential palace as supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol staged a rally to protest a court that issued a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

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Yoon’s lawyers, who challenged the warrant on Thursday, said it could not be used at his residence because of a law that protects places that may be connected to military secrets from being searched without a warrant.

The office said it would consider further steps, but did not immediately say whether it would make another attempt to arrest Yoon. The warrant for his arrest is valid for one week.

If the investigators are able to detain Yoon, they will likely ask the court for permission to formally arrest him. Otherwise, you will be released after 48 hours.

Supporters of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a rally to protest the court that issued an arrest warrant for Yoon, near the presidential palace in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

Thousands of police officers gathered at Yoon’s residence on Friday, forming a perimeter around a growing group of pro-Yoon protesters who braved freezing temperatures for hours, waving South Korean and American flags while chanting slogans of support.

There were no immediate reports of major conflicts outside the residence.

About five hours after a number of investigators and police were seen entering the gate of a house in Seoul to issue a warrant for Yoon’s arrest, the incident appeared to have turned into chaos. Two of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun and Kim Hong-il, were seen entering the presidential palace gate during the day.

It was not clear whether investigators had successfully entered the building where Yoon lives, but South Korean television, YTN, reported a scuffle as investigators and police clashed with presidential security forces.

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Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended since the National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14. Yoon’s fate now rests with the Constitutional Court, which has begun debating whether to support impeachment and formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. At least six judges of the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote to remove him from office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.