South Korea: Guards block arrest of impeached President Yoon

In a dramatic and tense standoff, over 200 South Korean presidential guards and military troops prevented authorities from arresting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday.

The six-hour confrontation took place inside Yoon’s compound in the heart of Seoul, on Friday, highlighting the deepening political crisis in the country.

Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from power on December 14, is under serious criminal investigation for insurrection over his December 3 martial law bid.

The move, which was widely condemned, led to a court issuing an arrest warrant for Yoon on Tuesday.

However, the presidential guards and military troops stood firm, blocking authorities from executing the warrant.

Eyewitnesses told Diaspora Digital Media that the scene was chaotic, with hundreds of Yoon supporters gathering near the presidential compound, chanting slogans and waving flags.

The supporters, who adopted the “Stop the Steal” slogan popularized by former US President Donald Trump’s supporters, attempted to block the authorities’ path.

The standoff ended with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) calling off the arrest effort due to concerns over the safety of its personnel.

The CIO expressed “deep regret” over Yoon’s non-compliance and vowed to consider its next steps.

The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with many criticizing Yoon’s actions as a blatant attempt to cling to power.

The impeachment case against Yoon is currently before the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to reinstate or permanently remove him from office.

As the political crisis deepens, South Koreans are bracing themselves for further turmoil.

The country’s defense ministry has confirmed that the troops involved in the standoff were under the control of the Presidential Security Service (PSS).

The police have designated the PSS chief and deputy as suspects in a criminal case for obstruction of official duty and issued summons for them to appear for questioning.

Knowing Yoon…

Yoon Suk Yeol is the 13th president of South Korea, serving since 2022.

He’s a member of the People Power Party and has had a notable career as a lawyer and politician.

Before becoming president, Yoon served as the prosecutor general of South Korea from 2019 to 2021, playing a key role in convicting former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak of abuse of power.

As president, Yoon was known for his conservative and economically liberal policies.

He faced criticism for his handling of various issues, including the Seoul Halloween crowd crush in 2022 and the ongoing medical crisis.

Yoon’s presidency has also been marked by controversy, including his declaration of martial law in December 2024, which was later nullified by the National Assembly.

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