Written By Lisa Murimi
In an unprecedented and dramatic standoff, South Korean authorities failed to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol after a six-hour confrontation with his security team and military personnel.
The operation, which began early Friday, involved 150 officers from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police, but was thwarted by Yoon’s security and military teams, who formed a human barrier outside his Seoul residence.
Yoon, under investigation for abuse of power and inciting insurrection following his attempt to impose martial law in December, had ignored three summonses for questioning.
Despite a court-issued arrest warrant, Yoon’s security detail, still obligated to protect him, locked the arrest team in a tense standoff.
The CIO cited safety concerns and logistical challenges as reasons for calling off the operation, describing Yoon’s defiance as “deeply regrettable.”
Yoon’s supporters, camped outside the residence, erupted in celebration upon hearing the news.
With the warrant set to expire on January 6, investigators face mounting pressure to act quickly. Political tensions remain high as critics accuse Yoon of exploiting legal loopholes.
Meanwhile, the CIO’s failure to secure the arrest raises questions about its authority and effectiveness in tackling high-level corruption in South Korea.
