South Korean investigators suspend attempt to arrest impeached president after standoff

South Korean investigators attempting to deliver a warrant on Friday to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol have abandoned their efforts following a lengthy standoff with presidential security personnel.

The Corruption Investigation Office responsible for executing the arrest warrant told journalists that it had halted the execution of the warrant at 1:30 pm (0430 GMT), about five hours after investigators had arrived at the presidential residence to detain Yoon.

The agency added that the investigators were denied entrance into the presidential residence by security aides.

READ ALSO: South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon

“We determined that executing the detention warrant would be practically impossible due to the continued confrontation, and suspended the execution out of concern for the safety of on-site personnel caused by the resistance,” an official from the agency said.

“We plan to decide on the next steps following a review.”

The office has until Monday to execute the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. 

The charges stem from Yoon’s ill-fated attempt to impose martial law on December 3 last year.

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