The failed attempt to arrest South Korea president explained

South Korean police have called off an attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol after a six-hour standoff with his security team.

Yoon is under investigation for abusing his power and inciting rebellion when he tried to impose martial law in early December.

The move, although short-lived, led to a political crisis as Yoon was impeached by the opposition-led parliament and suspended from office.

Seoul court He issued a warrant for his arrest Early this week after he ignored three summons to appear for questioning.

Since early Friday morning, dozens of police trucks have lined the street outside Yoon’s residence in central Seoul.

At approximately 08:00 local time (23:00 GMT), an arrest team made up of police officers and CIO members walked towards the complex.

The operation began with a team of 20 people, but quickly multiplied to about 150 people. Even then, they were outnumbered.

While about half of the team members managed to get in, they were stuck for hours in a standoff with security officers – who were still responsible for protecting Yoon, despite being stripped of his powers – and a military unit responsible for protecting Yoon City. Seoul.

Local news agency Yonhap reported that military and security officers formed a human wall and used vehicles to block the path of the arrest team.

An official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul told AFP that the security team entered into a “confrontation with the head of the information department at the presidential residence.”

The Corruption Investigation Bureau, which is investigating Yoon’s martial law declaration last month, said: “We have determined that arrest is practically impossible.”

The IT director said Yoon’s “refusal of legal action” was “deeply regrettable,” adding that next steps would be determined after the review.

Yoon’s supporters, who sat in front of the presidential residence for several days, sang and danced as the suspension was announced. “We won!” She cheered.

The IT director said concern for the safety of the team on the ground was another factor in their decision to call off the arrest attempt.

This development is not unexpected, given Yoon’s defiance throughout the investigation process.

As a former prosecutor, Yoon is well aware of the legal loopholes available to his defense, experts say.

Investigators have until January 6 to arrest him before the current arrest warrant expires.

This means they may try to arrest Yoon again over the weekend, although this may present a logistical challenge as the crowds are likely to swell.

They could also apply for a new warrant and try to arrest him again.

Before stopping the attempt, Yoon’s security team told the news agency that they were “negotiating” with investigators who sought to reach the president.

The police opened a criminal case against the head of Leon’s security service and his deputy, and summoned them for questioning, according to Yonhap.

Yoon’s legal team was also seen entering the house shortly after noon local time.

His lawyer Yoon Jab-kyun previously said they would take legal action over the arrest warrant, arguing that investigators did not have the authority to arrest him.

Meanwhile, Park Chan-dae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, criticized Yoon for not sticking to his party. He pledged to bear legal and political responsibility For his failed attempt to implement martial law.

“[It was] Park said, urging the IT director to try to arrest Yoon again today.

The IT director, who has been in office for only four years, was created in response to public anger at former President Park Geun-hye and her excesses. She was impeached by Parliament in December 2016, and removed from her post three months later.

However, the scope of the CIO’s jurisdiction has been challenged by other agencies – and his failure to deal with Yoon could be seen as an embarrassing loss.

South Korea has been in a state of political chaos since Yoon attempted to impose martial law on December 3.

Days and nights of protest culminated in the opposition-dominated parliament voting to impeach him on December 14, the second attempt to do so.

On Friday, prosecutors also brought charges of mutiny against Army Chief Park An-soo, who was appointed martial law commander during the brief declaration, and Special Forces Commander Kwak Jung-geun, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.

They are scheduled to face trial while in prison.

Additional reporting by Jake Kwon in Seoul