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South Korean Police Suspend Arrest of Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korean authorities have suspended their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a tense six-hour standoff with security personnel outside his residence in central Seoul.

Early Friday morning, a team of police officers, accompanied by officers from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), arrived at Yoonโ€™s compound, where dozens of police vans were seen parked along the street.

Despite Yoonโ€™s removal from office, his security personnel, including military members, formed a human barrier and used vehicles to block the arrest teamโ€™s advance.

Local reports indicate that while the arrest team attempted to move forward, tensions escalated as Yoonโ€™s guards prevented their access.

A CIO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that concerns for the safety of the officers were a key factor in the decision to abandon the arrest attempt.

โ€œWe have concluded that carrying out the arrest at this time is practically impossible,โ€ the official said. โ€œYoonโ€™s refusal to comply with the legal process is deeply regrettable.โ€

Had the arrest been successful, Yoon would have made history as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.

This latest move follows a Seoul Top Court-issued warrant for his arrest earlier this week, after he ignored three previous summons related to accusations of abuse of power and inciting insurrection.

The arrest warrant, which expires on January 6, offers investigators another chance to apprehend Yoon over the weekend.

However, with tensions running high and large crowds expected to gather, it remains uncertain whether the authorities will be able to execute the arrest without further obstruction.