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Investigators from South Korea’s anti-corruption agency were forced to withdraw from the official residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a nearly six-hour standoff on Friday. Yoon resisted their attempts to detain him, marking the latest chapter in the country’s ongoing political crisis, which has seen two impeachments within a month.
The agency stated that its team was blocked by the presidential security service, which expressed concerns about their safety. Despite multiple attempts to enter the residence, investigators had several confrontations with the security forces, leading to an official expression of “serious regret” about Yoon’s non-compliance with the legal process.
Due to the presidential security service’s intervention, the anti-corruption agency declared it “virtually impossible” to detain Yoon while he remains protected by his security detail. The agency plans to urge Acting President Choi Sang-mok to instruct the service to allow the legal process to proceed.
Outside the residence, a large group of pro-Yoon supporters gathered in freezing temperatures, waving South Korean and American flags while chanting their commitment to protecting him. Meanwhile, the National Police Agency announced plans to investigate the heads of the presidential security service for obstructing official duties.
Yoon, a former prosecutor, has resisted efforts to question him for weeks. His last known public appearance was on December 12, when he made a televised address from the presidential office, defying calls for his removal. Investigators are considering charges of rebellion following Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which saw troops surrounding the National Assembly. Although Parliament quickly overturned the martial law declaration, Yoon was impeached by the Assembly on December 14, with accusations of rebellion.
On Tuesday, a Seoul court issued warrants to detain Yoon and search his residence, but enforcing these orders is challenging as long as he is shielded by the presidential security service. Yoon’s legal team has filed a challenge, arguing that a law protecting locations with military secrets prevents the enforcement of the search and detainment orders at his residence.
While Yoon’s defense lawyers argue the anti-corruption agency lacks jurisdiction over rebellion charges, the situation remains fraught with legal and political complexities. If investigators succeed in detaining Yoon, they will seek court approval for a formal arrest, though he would be released after 48 hours unless a court order allows for further detention.
The standoff saw anti-corruption agency officials come within 200 meters of Yoon’s residence, but they were stopped by a barricade of vehicles and security personnel. Three prosecutors were eventually allowed near the building, but they were unable to confirm whether Yoon was inside.
Legal experts have stated that while the presidential security service is mandated to protect Yoon, blocking a court-ordered detainment could constitute obstruction of official duties. The law requiring consent for searches at sites with potential military secrets remains a key barrier to enforcing the warrants.
The opposition Democratic Party expressed disappointment over the withdrawal of investigators, urging them to make another attempt to detain Yoon. Meanwhile, members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party defended his actions, claiming there was no imminent threat of him fleeing or destroying evidence.
With the impeachment process ongoing, Yoon’s fate now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing whether to uphold his impeachment or reinstate him. At least six of the court’s nine justices must vote to remove him from office.
The National Assembly also voted to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo over his failure to fill Constitutional Court vacancies, further intensifying the political tension. Acting President Choi appointed two new justices this week, potentially influencing the court’s decision on Yoon’s impeachment.