South Korean authorities failed to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol despite an arrest warrant and over 100 armed police officers. The six-hour standoff on Friday outside Yoon’s residence highlights the political and legal chaos engulfing the nation. Yoon, impeached by parliament and suspended from office, still commands loyalty from his security detail and a strong support base among citizens.
The standoff unfolded when Yoon’s Presidential Security Service (PSS) formed a human barricade, using vehicles to block the arrest team. Analysts suggest this display of “unconditional loyalty” to Yoon stems from his appointment of key PSS figures, including its chief, Park Jong-joon. This loyalty appears to have overridden their constitutional obligation to take orders from acting President Choi Sang-mok.
Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration earlier in December triggered a cascade of events, including his impeachment and the subsequent criminal investigation. His supporters, fiercely loyal, have been camping outside his residence, clashing with police and creating a tense atmosphere.
Experts, like Mason Richey from Seoul’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, warn that any escalation during future arrest attempts could lead to violence, especially given the heavily armed nature of the PSS. The risk of confrontation raises questions about the broader implications for South Korean democracy.
Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, notes that while many South Koreans agree Yoon’s martial law order was unlawful, they remain divided over how accountability should be enforced. This disagreement further complicates efforts to resolve the political impasse.
Investigators have until 6 January to arrest Yoon before the current warrant expires. They may face a growing challenge as crowds of Yoon’s supporters continue to gather. Applying for a new warrant is an option, but it remains uncertain whether law enforcement can overcome the resistance from the PSS without risking further escalation.
South Korea is now in uncharted political territory, with each development deepening the uncertainty surrounding its political future.
