South Korean anti-corruption investigators have failed to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after facing resistance from his security team and about 1,000 supporters gathered outside his residence on Friday.
Investigators arrived at Mr Yoon's residential compound with an arrest warrant over his attempt to impose martial law, in the latest political showdown between the suspended head of state and security officials.
Parliament impeached Mr Yoon after he declared martial law on December 3, and he was suspended from his duties on December 14. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who briefly stepped in as acting president, was also impeached. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now the interim leader.
Mr Yoon is wanted for questioning in multiple investigations, including accusations of leading an insurrection – a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
“Execution of the arrest warrant was virtually impossible due to the continued standoff,” the investigation office said in a statement. “Future measures will be decided after a review. We express our deepest regret over the suspect’s refusal to comply with legal procedures.”
It scheduled a public briefing later on Friday.
A Seoul court issued a warrant for Mr Yoon's detention on Tuesday after he evaded multiple requests to appear for questioning and blocked searches of his office in Seoul.
In his first public statement in weeks, Mr Yoon said he would “fight to the end” against “anti-state forces”.
Four hours after dozens of investigators and police officers were seen entering the gate of his residence to execute a warrant for Yoon’s detention, the dramatic scene appeared to have developed into a standoff.
A group of pro-Yoon protesters braved subfreezing temperatures for hours, waving South Korean and American flags while chanting slogans in his support. Some shouted “Arrest Lee Jae-myung”, the opposition leader seen as a top contender to take power if Mr Yoon is removed from office.
The president’s lawyers described the warrant as “invalid” and “illegal” and said the presidential security force could arrest police trying to execute it.
Seok Dong-hyeon, one of several lawyers on Mr Yoon’s legal team, confirmed that the investigators arrived at the building but said it was unlikely that they would be able to detain the president on Friday. He said the agency’s efforts to detain Mr Yoon were “reckless” and showed an “outrageous discard for law”.
The standoff prompted the liberal opposition Democratic Party to call on Mr Choi to order the presidential security service to stand down.
Mr Choi must “remember that swiftly addressing the rebellion and preventing further chaos is your responsibility,” said Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker.
The warrant is valid for one week, and investigators may make another attempt to detain Mr Yoon if they are unable to do so on Friday.
The%20specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to avoid crypto fraud
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
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THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5