South Korea in political crisis after president resists arrest

Days before the warrant expires, the current president of South Korea resisted arrest over a failed martial law decree, leaving the country’s political leadership in unfamiliar territory on Saturday.

In dramatic scenes on Friday, investigators canceled their attempt to arrest Yoon Suk Yeol, citing safety concerns, and the former star prosecutor was protected by his presidential guards and military troops.

Following the botched martial law declaration last month—a political move quickly overturned by parliament—the South Korean president was suspended and impeached, and a separate arrest warrant was later issued.

“A standoff ensued. We estimated that there were about 200 people obstructing us, but there may have been more,” a member of the investigation team stated on condition of anonymity on Friday. “It was a risky situation.

As one of the few offenses not covered by presidential immunity, Yoon faces criminal charges of insurrection and could face imprisonment or, in the worst case scenario, the death penalty.

Yoon would become the first sitting president to be arrested if the warrant is executed.

Three times since his impeachment, Yoon has refused to come out for interrogation, hiding out in his presidential residence in the capital, Seoul.

With the court-ordered warrant scheduled to expire on Monday, investigators’ attempt to make an arrest was left in limbo following the historic altercation, which reportedly involved clashes but no gunfire.

Before then, there might be another attempt to arrest Yoon, according to officials from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is looking into his martial law decree.

However, if the warrant lapses, they would have to apply for another from the same Seoul court that issued the initial summons.

The Constitutional Court slated January 14 for the start of Yoon’s impeachment trial, which if he does not attend would continue in his absence.

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