S. Korean investigators leave presidential residence after failing to arrest Yoon

South Korean investigators left the presidential residence after failing to arrest the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed martial law bid on Friday because of a standoff at his residence.

"Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant today, it was determined that the execution was effectively impossible due to the ongoing standoff. Concern for the safety of personnel on-site led to the decision to halt the execution," the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) said in a statement.

The CIO noted that it stopped the execution at about 1:30 p.m. local time (0430 GMT), expressing deep regret over the attitude of Yoon who refused to comply with legal procedures.

The investigative unit added that it will decide on future measures after relevant reviews.

A group of CIO prosecutors and investigators attempted to arrest the impeached president over his martial law imposition in the presidential residence in central Seoul on Friday, but after confronting presidential security service agents, they had to stop proceeding with the arrest warrant.

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(With input from agencies)