Impeached President of South Korea Yoon Suk YeolPhoto: PTI Impeached President of South Korea Yoon Suk YeolPhoto: PTI

After a nearly six-hour standoff with the presidential security service, South Korean investigators failed to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday.

According to the Associated Press, South Korea's anti-corruption agency confirmed the withdrawal of its investigators after they were blocked from entering Yoon's official residence due to concerns about the safety.

The last time the president is known to have left the residence was on Dec 12, when he went to the nearby presidential office to make a televised statement to the nation.

In a defiant message addressing his conservative supporters who gathered outside his residence in the capital of Seoul, the impeached presidentvowed to fight till the end against the "anti-state forces" that are "violating the sovereignty” of South Korea and putting the nation in "danger", according to the Associated Press.

The president further applauded his supporters for their efforts to protect the country's “liberal democracy and constitutional order” and said he was watching their protests on live YouTube broadcasts, according to a photo of the message shared by Yoon's lawyers.

Detention warrant for Prez Yoon

A South Korean court on Tuesday issued a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and search his office over his martial law decree, the anti-corruption agency said.

The arrest warrant was issued after Yoon ignored repeated requests by investigative authorities to appear for questioning and allow them to search his office.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the officials are investigating whether his declaration of martial law amounted to rebellion. Although Yoon has the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution, but it does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

According to Oh Dong-woon, the anti-corruption agency's chief prosecutor, police forces might be deployed if Yoon's security service resists the detention attempt.

ALSO READ | South Korea: Court Issues Warrant To Detain Impeached President Yoon Over Martial Law Probe

President Yoon Impeached

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14 following his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. The liberal opposition Democratic Party accused the president of trying to mobilize his supporters to block his detention and called for law enforcement authorities to execute the warrant immediately.

The impeachment motion passed with 204 lawmakers voting in favor. It led to an immediate suspension of Yoon from office. The prime minister, as per the Korean constitution, will assume the role of acting president in his absence.

However, the impeachment process is far from over. A trial will be conducted by the Constitutional Court, which could take several weeks. If six out of the nine judges vote to uphold the impeachment, Yoon will be permanently removed from office. In such a case, a presidential election must be held within 60 days of the ruling.

ALSO READ | Martial Law In South Korea Leads To Political Crisis, Ex-Defence Minister Attempts Suicide After Arrest

About Martial Law In South Korea

In South Korea, the President holds the power to declare martial law in situations of extreme national emergency, such as wartime or similar crises. Martial law gives the President the right to deploy the military, suspend civil liberties, and temporarily override government agencies and courts.

fruit party 2

However, the constitution also empowers the National Assembly to revoke such a declaration with a majority vote, a safeguard against misuse of power. This provision was exercised immediately after Yoon’s proclamation, with lawmakers scaling walls to evade military blockades and ensure a quorum for their emergency session. The Assembly’s unanimous vote to nullify martial law demonstrated a rare moment of unity in South Korea’s polarized political landscape.

India then beat Korea 3-1 before eking out a narrow 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan.

Critics argue that Yoon’s martial law declaration far exceeded constitutional limits. The impeachment motion alleges that his actions—deploying troops to surround the National Assembly and suspending political party activities—constituted a coup attempt rather than a legitimate response to a national crisis.winhq