After a nearly six-hour standoff with the pr🅷esidential security service, South Korean investigators failed to detain impeached Pre꧅sident Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday.
According to the Associated Press, South Korea's anti-corruption agency confirmed the withdrawal of its investigato💦rs 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🎃ꦜ 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 president vowed 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 coun⭕try'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 cou✃rt on Tuesday issued a warrant to detain impeache✱d President Yoon Suk Yeol and search his office over his martial law decree, the anti-corruption agency said.
The arrest warrant was issued after Yoon𝓀 ignored repeated requests by investigative authorities to appear for questioning and🙈 allow them to search his office.
According to the anti-corruptio🌳n 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 D🌊ong-woon, the anti-corruption agency's chief prosecutor, police forces might be deployed if Yoon's security service resists the detention attempt.
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 vot🐈ing 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.
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 crise﷽s. Martial law gives the President the right to deploy the military, suspend civil liberties, and temporarily override government agencies and courts.
However, the constitution also empowers the National Assembly to revoke such a declaration with a majority vote, a safeguard agai♔nst 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.
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.
