In South Korea, authorities were unable to arrest the president due to resistance from his security team.

Investigators from the Republic of Korea's Corruption Investigation Agency (CIO) have suspended the execution of an arrest warrant for the ousted president Yoon Suk-yeol after a five-hour standoff with his security at his residence.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Yonhap.

“We recognized that executing the arrest warrant was practically impossible due to the ongoing standoff, and we suspended its execution due to concerns for the safety of personnel on site caused by the resistance,” the CIO stated in a press release.

The agency also added that they plan to make a decision regarding the next steps after reviewing the situation.

“We express our deep regret regarding the behavior of the suspect, who refused to comply with the established legal procedures,” the CIO added.

Investigators still have time until Monday to execute the arrest warrant for the ousted head of state.

It is noted that the standoff between the police and Yoon's security at the presidential residence lasted for about five hours.

Earlier, investigators from the Republic of Korea Corruption Investigation Agency entered the president's residence to execute the warrant and detain Yoon Suk-yeol.

As reported, Yoon Suk-yeol did not appear for questioning for the third time on December 29 in the case regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in the country. Three summonses are generally considered the maximum number after which investigative authorities obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect.

The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, announced the imposition of a state of emergency on December 3. The decision was made after the opposition Democratic Party quickly approved a trimmed budget draft in the parliamentary Budget Committee and submitted motions for the impeachment of the head of the Audit Office and the Attorney General.

Later, Yoon rescinded the state of emergency.

Several high-ranking officials and law enforcement officers suspected of a coup have been dismissed and detained.

The prosecution has filed a criminal case against Yoon on charges of treason.

On December 14, the National Assembly of South Korea (parliament) voted for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

On December 31, it became known that the court of the Republic of Korea issued an official arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose powers were suspended due to impeachment declared by parliament.

Photo: Yonhap