Seoul — South Korea's presidential security chief has called for “no bloodshed” amid rising tensions over the possible arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Park Chong-jun, head of the presidential security service, emphasized that there should be no physical clashes as investigators seek to execute a new arrest warrant against Yoon over his failed martial law bid. This follows a tense stand-off last week, when Yoon resisted arrest, triggering a standoff between his security and law enforcement.

Yoon, accused of insurrection, faces mounting pressure, with several hundred supporters gathering at his residence in sub-zero temperatures to defend him. Meanwhile, rival protesters demand either the invalidation of his impeachment or his immediate detention.

Yoon's legal team has vowed to defy the new arrest warrant, and security at his Seoul residence has been heightened. If detained, Yoon would become South Korea’s first sitting president to be arrested.

In parallel, the Constitutional Court is set to begin Yoon's impeachment trial on January 14, a process that will continue even if he does not attend. The court has up to 180 days to decide whether to dismiss or restore him as president.