South Korea witnessed an extraordinary six-hour standoff on Friday when more than 100 police officers armed with an arrest warrant failed to detain suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Despite their efforts, they were thwarted by Yoon’s security team, who formed a human barrier and used vehicles to block the authorities, according to local media reports.
This dramatic event is the latest in a series of unprecedented developments in South Korean politics. Yoon’s brief and controversial imposition of martial law last month was followed by his impeachment by parliament. A criminal investigation ensued, during which Yoon refused to appear for questioning. Earlier this week, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
Despite being impeached and suspended from office, Yoon retains a significant support base. On Friday morning, thousands of his supporters gathered outside his residence to oppose his arrest. For now, Yoon remains a disgraced leader awaiting the constitutional court’s decision, which could permanently remove him from office.
Challenges in Arresting Yoon
Even though Yoon no longer holds presidential powers following his impeachment, he is still entitled to a security detail, which proved instrumental in blocking the arrest.
The presidential security service (PSS) played a decisive role in Friday’s events. Mason Richey, an associate professor at Seoul’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, suggested that the PSS’s actions could reflect either loyalty to Yoon or a misunderstanding of their constitutional responsibilities.
Given Yoon’s suspension, the PSS should technically be taking orders from acting President Choi Sang-mok. “They have either not been instructed by acting President Choi to stand down, or they are refusing his orders to do so,” Richey explained.
Some experts argue that the PSS’s actions indicate “unconditional loyalty” to Yoon rather than adherence to their official duties. Christopher Jumin Lee, a U.S.-based lawyer and Korea expert, posited that Yoon might have filled the organization with hardline loyalists to prepare for such a scenario. The current PSS chief, Park Jong-joon, was appointed by Yoon in September.
Adding to the controversy, Park’s predecessor, Kim Yong-hyun, is accused of advising Yoon to impose martial law. Kim is currently under investigation as part of the broader criminal inquiry into Yoon’s actions.
Political Stalemate and Risks of Escalation
The situation underscores the deep political polarization in South Korea. While most South Koreans agree that Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3 was a mistake, there is little consensus on how he should be held accountable.
“The actors involved disagree over process, procedure, and their legal basis, which is adding to the current political uncertainty,” explained Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
This uncertainty fueled the tense standoff outside Yoon’s residence, where his supporters have been camping for days, delivering impassioned speeches and occasionally clashing with police.
Law enforcement faces a dilemma. Returning with a larger force and attempting to use more aggressive measures would be fraught with risks. “The PSS is heavily armed, so arresting officers would be looking to avoid any escalation,” Richey warned.
Christopher Jumin Lee raised a troubling question: “What happens if the police show up with additional warrants calling for the arrest of PSS personnel, [the PSS] defy those warrants as well and then brandish their guns?”
Authorities have announced that they are investigating the PSS director and his deputy for obstruction. This could lead to additional charges and warrants in the coming days.
A Precarious Legal and Political Landscape
The fallout from Yoon’s martial law order is a significant test for the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is leading the probe against him. Established just four years ago in the wake of public outrage over former President Park Geun-hye’s corruption scandal, the CIO is still finding its footing.
Unlike Park, who was impeached, removed from office, and jailed after her term ended, Yoon is the first South Korean president to face potential arrest while still in office.
Investigators have until January 6 to detain Yoon before the current warrant expires. They may attempt another arrest over the weekend, but the growing number of Yoon’s supporters could make the task even more challenging. Alternatively, they could apply for a new warrant and try again later.
With South Korea plunging into uncharted political territory, the uncertainty surrounding Yoon’s case shows no signs of abating.