South Korea Faces Political Crisis as Impeached President Resists Arrest

Yoon Suk Yeol, impeached for declaring martial law, remains barricaded in the presidential compound as authorities struggle to enforce a detention warrant.

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has refused to comply with court-issued detention and search warrants, leading to a tense standoff with investigators and security forces at his residence.
Yoon's brief declaration of martial law on December 3, which included sending troops to block parliament, has sparked widespread political and public backlash, culminating in his impeachment on December 14 for alleged rebellion.
The anti-corruption agency is seeking an extension of the detention warrant, which was set to expire on January 6, after investigators were blocked from arresting Yoon by hundreds of presidential security guards and military personnel last week.
Public outrage over Yoon’s actions has reignited South Korea’s tradition of civic mobilization, with mass protests and pressure on lawmakers to hold him accountable, reminiscent of past democratic struggles in the country.
The Constitutional Court will begin hearings on January 14 to decide whether to formally remove Yoon from office, while tensions remain high as his supporters and detractors continue to demonstrate outside his residence.