South Korea's anti-corruption agency halts detention attempt against impeached President Yoon

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) suspended its attempt to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on January 3, following a tense, hourslong standoff between investigators and presidential security staff.

The CIO announced that it halted the execution of the detention warrant at 1:30 p.m., approximately five hours after investigators arrived at the presidential residence. "We determined that executing the detention warrant would be practically impossible due to the continued confrontation, and suspended the execution out of concern for the safety of on-site personnel caused by the resistance," the CIO said in a press notice. "We plan to decide on the next steps following a review," Caliber.Az reports via South Korean media.

The agency expressed its regret over the situation, stating, "We express serious regret over the behavior of the suspect who refused to comply with legally set procedures."

The CIO has until January 6 to execute the detention warrant, which relates to charges of insurrection and abuse of power stemming from Yoon's attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3. The attempted arrest has been complicated by rallies from Yoon's supporters, who gathered outside the residence to block the arrest and protest his impeachment.

On January 3 morning, over 1,000 pro-Yoon protesters surrounded the residence, chanting: "Illegal warrant. Completely invalid" and "Arrest the CIO." Police, with the help of 2,700 officers, were stationed to maintain order, but the large crowds created challenges for the CIO.

The investigators were also met with resistance from the Presidential Security Service (PSS), which denied them entry despite presenting court-issued warrants. PSS chief Park Chong-jun cited restrictions on secured areas as the reason for the denial.

Further complicating the standoff, a military unit stationed on the compound initially resisted the investigators' efforts.

Yoon’s legal team has condemned the warrants as "illegal and invalid." His lawyers, Yun Gap-geun and Kim Hong-il, were seen entering the residence during the standoff.

"We will seek legal action against the CIO's attempt," Yun told Yonhap News Agency.

The CIO’s team, which included 30 members from the agency and 120 police personnel, had planned to arrest Yoon and bring him to the CIO’s headquarters in Gwacheon for questioning, before transferring him to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang.

Despite the challenges, police made it clear that any attempt to obstruct the execution of the warrant would result in detention for obstruction of official duties. However, no one was detained on such charges during the incident.

The CIO had initiated the detention request after Yoon failed to respond to three summonses for questioning. The agency also obtained a warrant to search the presidential residence as part of the ongoing investigation.

As the standoff ended, the CIO expressed its intention to continue its probe and seek further legal steps if necessary.

By Vugar Khalilov