SOUTH KOREAN INVESTIGATORS IN STANDOFF TO ARREST YOON

SEOUL, Jan 3 (Bernama-Yonhap) – South Korean investigators attempting to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid were locked in a standoff with the Presidential Security Service outside the presidential residence Friday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Investigators with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) presented warrants to detain Yoon and search the residence, but PSS chief Park Chong-jun denied their entry, citing restrictions on secured areas.

"CIO prosecutors and investigators are in a standoff with the Presidential Security Service in front of the residence after moving past the first and second barriers," a police official said, referring to the gates of the compound and an earlier standoff with a military unit stationed on the grounds.

The CIO has until Monday to execute the detention warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power linked to Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec 3.

Rallies by Yoon's supporters outside the presidential residence, however, have complicated the CIO's effort, along with the potential for clashes with the Presidential Security Service.

Thousands of supporters have gathered near the residence in recent days to oppose Yoon's impeachment and block his arrest. Some have been forcibly dispersed by the police and carried away by their limbs.

The CIO has collaborated with the police and the Defence Ministry's investigation unit to conduct a joint probe into Yoon's failed martial law bid.

Yoon's legal defence team has called the warrants "illegal and invalid" and has filed for an injunction against their execution.

On Friday, Yun Gap-geun, a lawyer on the team, told Yonhap News Agency that "legal action" will be sought against the CIO's attempt.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP