Officials suspend arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol

A day of high drama has come to an end in South Korea, as investigators called off an attempt to arrest ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol after a six-hour standoff with security team outside his home.

“We have determined that arrest is impossible,” said the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which has been investigating Yoon’s brief declaration of martial law.

“Next steps will be decided after review,” the CIO said, adding that Yoon’s “rejection of the legal process” is “deeply regrettable.”

Yoon’s supporters, who have been camped outside the presidential residence for days, cheered with song and dance when the suspension was announced. “We won,” they chanted.