South Korean investigators from the country’s anti-corruption agency have entered the presidential palace to execute an arrest warrant for the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) announced, “We have begun executing a detention warrant for President Yoon,” per Yonhap News. However, their efforts have been met with resistance as a military unit has blocked their access inside the palace as reported by AFP.
The warrant was granted by a Seoul court earlier this week in response to allegations that Yoon abused his power during a failed martial law declaration in December 2024. President Yoon claimed it was necessary to protect South Korea from “communist forces” and to eliminate “anti-state elements”.
This warrant makes him the first sitting South Korean president to face arrest. The CIO has until Monday to carry out the warrant, but they opted to move in on Friday, anticipating that the number of supporters rallying outside the palace would swell over the weekend.
On Thursday, investigators held back due to thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathering outside his residence to prevent his arrest. The CIO had requested the warrant after Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning related to an ongoing investigation involving both police and defence ministry units regarding his martial law imposition.
Early on Friday morning, at 6:14 am local time, CIO investigators departed from the government complex in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, to execute the warrant against Yoon. The president has resisted arrest and gone into hiding, while members of his security team have reportedly blocked police from entering the presidential premises.
Despite the mounting pressure, Yoon remains defiant and steady in his position. In a statement circulated among protesters he declared, “The Republic of Korea is currently in danger due to internal and external forces threatening its sovereignty, and the activities of anti-state elements.”
He vowed to “fight alongside you to the very end to protect this nation,” while watching protests unfold via a YouTube live stream, per his lawyer to Yonhen News.
According to reports from The Guardian, there is a significant police presence around Hangangjin Station as thousands of protesters gather to voice their support for Yoon.
Many are echoing claims that “the election was rigged,” referring to last April’s general election.
The arrest warrant for President Yoon ends on January 6. If Yoon is detained, CIO will then have 48 hours to investigate him and either request a warrant for his formal arrest or they will have to release the president.
Lead image: AP News / Getty Image
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