Defiant Yoon Suk Yeol Fortifies Residence as Arrest Deadline Nears

South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, remains entrenched in his fortified residence as the deadline for his arrest warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power approaches. Yoon, who was impeached following his controversial attempt to impose martial law, has refused to surrender, escalating a constitutional crisis in the country.

Over the weekend, Yoon’s security team erected barbed wire and barricaded the compound with buses, thwarting investigators who sought to arrest him on Friday. After a six-hour standoff, investigators withdrew, unable to bypass the presidential security service.

The arrest warrant, tied to Yoon’s brief martial law order citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces,” is set to expire Monday. Investigators have sought an extension and requested police assistance to execute the warrant. However, police have declined, citing legal ambiguities, and stated that responsibility should remain with anti-corruption investigators.

Public opinion is deeply divided, with thousands of protesters rallying in heavy snow over the weekend, both supporting and opposing Yoon. The political turmoil coincides with a high-stakes visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aiming to stabilize regional relations ahead of the incoming Donald Trump presidency.

Yoon’s legal team has challenged the legitimacy of the arrest warrant, claiming anti-corruption investigators lack jurisdiction over insurrection cases. The presidential security service has echoed this argument, emphasizing Yoon’s status as a sitting president until the constitutional court rules on his impeachment.

Yoon’s lawyers have filed complaints against investigators for their actions, arguing that he has been “practically detained in his residence.” An injunction against the warrant was rejected by the court, and an appeal is being considered.