As South Korea faces escalating political tensions, hundreds of protesters gathered near the residence of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday night, demanding his arrest as a court-issued detention warrant neared expiration. With temperatures plummeting, frustrated citizens from opposing factions rallied, asserting their views on Yoon's controversial presidency. The South China Morning Post reported that anti-Yoon demonstrators urged authorities to act against the president, who has been embroiled in legal conflicts following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.

The South Korean Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is facing mounting pressure as law enforcement attempted to enforce the arrest warrant on Friday, only to be thwarted by Yoon's presidential security service after a tense standoff lasting over five hours. Following this, the The Hill outlined that Yoon's chief security officer asserted that they would not cooperate with the arrest, citing ongoing legal debates surrounding the validity of the warrant.

Last week, the Seoul Western District Court issued the detention warrant after Yoon repeatedly avoided questioning related to accusations of rebellion and abuse of authority stemming from his martial law declaration, which was briefly enacted to counter what he termed obstruction from the opposition-controlled parliament.

Despite the court's ruling, investigators struggled to gain access to Yoon's residence due to the formidable presence of the presidential security forces. This prompted further protests, as citizens wrapped in silver-coated mats gathered to voice their dissent over Yoon's actions. As reported by Le Monde, the CIO officials indicated plans to enlist police support to intensify efforts to detain Yoon before the expiration of the detention warrant.

The political crisis surrounding Yoon has drawn severe criticism from various quarters, with the opposition accusing him of an illegal power grab. The anti-corruption agency is contemplating new rebellion charges against the president, aggravating an already polarized political landscape. Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team challenges the legality of the arrest warrants, proposing that they cannot be executed at his residence due to a legal clause protecting military-related sites.

Under current circumstances, the nation's focus remains fixed on the unresolved status of Yoon's presidency as the Constitutional Court deliberates on the potential outcome of his impeachment. The atmosphere is tense as both protestors and Yoon's supporters remain staunchly divided, forcing the nation to navigate this complex political unrest amidst a wintry backdrop.

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