Seoul: The state anti-corruption agency's request for police to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been rejected by the police, citing legal issues with the request. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had sent the request late Sunday, urging police to execute the warrant before it expired at midnight on Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Baek Dong-heum, a senior police official involved in the investigation, stated during a press briefing that an internal legal review found the CIO's request to be legally disputable. Baek mentioned that the police will continue consultations with the CIO regarding the execution of the detention warrant. Meanwhile, a separate police official indicated that both agencies agreed to maintain a joint investigation team, including the defense ministry's unit, to handle the martial law case.

The CIO's failed attempt to detain Yoon at his official residence led to an hours-long standoff with presidential security, and Yoon's non-cooperation has further complicated the situation. The agency has faced criticism for involving police officers in the warrant's execution, despite lacking authority over them. Lee Jae-seung, the deputy CIO chief, emphasized that under the Criminal Procedure Act, a prosecutor commands the warrant's execution by police. He added that the CIO and police were in talks for a potential second attempt to detain Yoon.

The CIO also sought the cooperation of acting President Choi Sang-mok and the Presidential Security Service but received no response. Despite this, the agency plans to seek an extension of the warrant before its expiration. Yoon's lawyer, Yun Gap-keun, criticized the CIO's actions, questioning its qualifications as a state agency. There are also discussions within the CIO and police about possibly detaining PSS staff if they obstruct future attempts to arrest Yoon.

The unprecedented move to arrest a sitting president has sparked protests near Yoon's residence, with demonstrators braving subzero temperatures. Rallies both supporting and opposing the president continued on Monday.