
The execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended on Friday afternoon, due to an ongoing standoff that has made it practically impossible to proceed with the operation, according to authorities.
Authorities involved in the joint investigation, including the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, had initially moved to carry out the warrant that had been approved by the court. However, after five hours of tension, it was determined that the escalating situation made it unfeasible to continue with the arrest. Concerns for the safety of personnel at the scene, caused by the obstruction of the warrant execution, led to the decision to halt the operation at around 1:30 p.m on Friday.
In a statement, officials expressed their regret over the refusal of the suspect -- who is also South Korea's president -- to comply with legal procedures. "We deeply regret the suspect's attitude in not responding to the legal process," the statement read.
Authorities indicated that further steps would be considered after a review of the situation. The joint investigative team, which included officials from the CIO, the Korean National Police Agency and the Ministry of Defense, had previously attempted to enter the presidential residence in Yongsan's Hannam-dong in central Seoul to detain the president on suspicions of insurrection and abuse of power.