South Korean authorities were blocked from arresting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday during a tense six-hour standoff at the presidential compound in Seoul.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), backed by police, was met by over 200 Presidential Security Service (PSS) agents and military personnel, preventing them from executing an arrest warrant.
The CIO described the situation as “virtually impossible” to manage and suspended the operation for safety reasons.
Yoon faces an insurrection charge following his December 3 martial law attempt, which shocked the nation.
He has ignored multiple summons, prompting the court to issue the arrest warrant, valid until January 6.
The PSS leadership is now under investigation for obstructing the arrest effort.
Legal experts suggest the acting president could compel PSS cooperation, but no such order has been issued.
Meanwhile, Yoon’s impeachment case is before the Constitutional Court, with oral arguments set for January 14.