South Korea's presidential security chief defies Yoon arrest bid as deadline looms

Pro-Yoon protesters attend a rally in support of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near his official residence on a snowy day, in Seoul, South Korea, January 5, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

SEOUL (Reuters) -The chief of security for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Sunday he could not cooperate with efforts to arrest the impeached leader, in remarks that could push the political crisis towards another high-stakes confrontation.

With a warrant for Yoon's arrest on grounds of insurrection set to expire at midnight (1500 GMT) on Monday, the official, Park Chong-jun, cited the legal debate surrounding the warrant as the reason for the lack of cooperation.