In a dramatic six-hour standoff, South Korean police were forced to abandon their attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in central Seoul. The arrest team, consisting of police officers and the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) members, faced strong resistance from Yoon's security personnel and a military unit responsible for protecting the city. Despite being outnumbered, Yoon's security staff formed a human barrier and used vehicles to block the arrest team's access.

The CIO, who is investigating Yoon's brief martial law declaration from last month, stated that the arrest was "practically impossible" due to concerns for the team's safety on the ground. Yoon's supporters, who had been gathered outside the presidential residence for days, celebrated and chanted "We won!" following the suspension announcement. The CIO has until January 6 to arrest Yoon before the current warrant expires, and it remains uncertain whether they will attempt another arrest.

Yoon is under investigation for abusing his power and inciting an insurrection by attempting to impose martial law in early December. Although this move was short-lived, it sparked a political crisis that resulted in Yoon's impeachment by an opposition-led parliament and his suspension from office. A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for him earlier this week after he ignored three summons to appear for questioning. If arrested, Yoon would become the first sitting president in South Korea's history to be apprehended.

The standoff has underscored the deep divisions within South Korean politics, with Yoon's loyalists and opposition parties at odds over his impeachment. The opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, and two weeks later, they voted to impeach his replacement, acting president Han Duck-soo. The CIO's failure to arrest Yoon has also raised questions about the agency's jurisdiction and effectiveness.

The situation remains volatile, as Yoon's supporters and opponents continue to protest and rally outside the presidential residence. The CIO has opened a criminal case against the chief of Yoon's security service and his deputy, summoning them for questioning. Yoon's legal team has pledged to take action against the arrest warrant, arguing that investigators exceeded their authority in attempting to detain him. As the standoff persists, South Korea's political crisis shows no signs of resolution.