Yoon standoff continues as arrest warrant nears expiration

A standoff continued on Friday as investigators attempted but failed to arrest impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with military units blocking the attempt at the presidential residence.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) issued an arrest warrant that is set to expire Monday, January 6, after Yoon refused to appear before the prosecution and comply with CIO summons for questioning.

Yoon's legal team argues that the warrant is illegal and invalid; however, if it expires, investigators would need to apply for another one on similar grounds.

Supporters of both sides have continued protests, with hundreds turning up in front of Yoon’s residence, while South Korea remains in its worst political crisis in decades.

The country's economy has been damaged by the ongoing political turmoil, with the won plunging to its lowest level against the US dollar in almost 16 years and the stock market tumbling.