Standoff Prevents Arrest of South Korean President Yoon

Investigators in South Korea abandoned an attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a six-hour standoff with his bodyguards and supporters, who formed a 'human wall' around his residence. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) had arrived to execute an arrest warrant issued due to Yoon's alleged insurrection and power abuse following his declaration of martial law on December 3. Despite their efforts, the authorities faced fierce resistance, with hundreds of Yoon's supporters chanting slogans and vowing to protect him 'with our lives'. The CIO expressed regret over the necessity to withdraw, citing safety concerns for their personnel. Yoon's legal team condemned the warrant as 'illegal', while the main opposition party criticized him for evading the law. This incident has further deepened the political crisis in South Korea, which has seen two presidents impeached in rapid succession.