SEOUL, Jan 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Met by a wall of armed guards inside South Korea's presidential compound -- and fanatical right-wing supporters outside -- investigators arrived to a scene of high drama as they tried to arrest Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday.

The South Korean president was suspended and impeached last month after declaring martial law -- a political move swiftly overturned by parliament but resulting in a warrant for his arrest being issued.

He has been holed up in the presidential residence since, surrounded by dozens of loyal security officers and scores of fanatical supporters.

Police officers in their thousands, hordes of journalists, and the impeached president's fanatical supporters waving national flags and placards swarmed around the compound Friday as investigators arrived in a five-car convoy to carry out the warrant.

But a bus blocked the entrance to a road to the compound where Yoon's residence sits on a hill, forcing them the rest of the way by foot.

When they entered through heavy security gates after delicate negotiations, Yoon's supporters -- some who had camped overnight in tents -- spewed vitriol.
Others vowed to "protect" their president, played traditional music and chanted that Yoon's "impeachment is invalid".

Once inside the compound's walls, investigators came face-to-face with security personnel loyal to Yoon that forged the residence with multiple layers, according to one investigator's account.

A tense hours-long standoff followed until early Friday afternoon, with scuffles reportedly breaking out between the rival sides.

"At that point, moving forward directly was impossible, so we detoured via a side mountain path," an official from the investigation team said.
The frustrated team faced obstacle after obstacle before meeting the final defense -- 200 presidential security guards and soldiers linking arms.

- 'Never allow it' -
Three prosecutors reportedly breached the final layer of Yoon's security, but were met by his legal team who refused to accept any warrant.
Outnumbered, the arrest team made a U-turn and left.

Even after the attempt to arrest Yoon was halted, his supporters said it was "too early to be relieved".
"If we all return home, they might come back and attempt to arrest the president again," Lee Hye-sook, 57, told AFP.

"This arrest warrant is valid until the 6th (January), and many of us will stay here until then."

Yoon's approval rating hit a record low in December but Jay Yoon -- one of his supporters -- feels he still has the nation's backing.
"Not everyone can come out because they have livelihoods to take care of," said the woman in her 40s.

Park Jong-hwan, a 59-year-old supporter, said he was hopeful Yoon would get through the crisis.

"Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung... seeks to undermine our country through the influence of North Korea and China," he said.
"But us conservative citizens and our God will never allow it to happen."