On the last day of President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest warrant validity on Nov. 6, citizens, including progressive groups such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Progressive Party, are holding sketchbooks with slogans calling for the arrest and detention of President Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

The arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, issued by the High-ranking Officials Criminal Investigation Office (CIO), was effectively nullified on the 6th, the expiration date of the warrant. The protesters, who had been holding overnight rallies near the residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul since the 3rd to demand President Yoon's resignation, dispersed earlier than scheduled. Lawmakers from the People Power Party, who had gathered in front of the residence to block the execution of the warrant, also withdrew.

The Emergency Action for Yoon Suk Yeol's Immediate Resignation and Social Reform, consisting of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and other civic groups, moved their rally, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., up to 2 p.m. The rally concluded around 3:30 p.m. The representatives stated, “Despite the inclement weather and it being a weekday as the last day for the execution of the arrest warrant, about 15,000 citizens participated in the rally,” adding, “We will meet again at 4 p.m. on the 11th at Dongnam Demilitarized Zone, Gwanghwamun.”

On the afternoon of Nov. 6, lawmakers including Representative Kim Gi Hyun of the People Power Party are making a statement in front of the presidential residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Approximately 50 people, including Kim Gi-hyeon, Na Kyung-won, 40 other members of the National Assembly, and about 10 party chapter heads, gathered in front of the residence around 6 a.m. Their intention was to prevent CIO prosecutors and investigators from entering the residence if they arrived with the arrest warrant. They dispersed around 2:20 p.m.

Rep. Kim noted, “As the warrant execution is not imminent, we will withdraw for now and regroup around the National Assembly or nearby if the situation arises.” When asked by reporters if they would physically block investigators if the warrant execution proceeded, Kim did not respond.

Earlier, the High-ranking Officials Criminal Investigation Office (CIO) and the police appeared to be passing the responsibility of executing the warrant to each other, making it practically impossible to execute it on that day. When the CIO sent a communication to the police in the morning entrusting them with the warrant execution, the police responded that the CIO is the primary execution authority. Following a consultation, the CIO and the police decided to proceed with the warrant execution or investigation under the joint investigation headquarters system in the future.

On the last day of President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest warrant validity on Nov. 6, supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol are cheering after reading an article about the police being entrusted with executing the arrest warrant by the Corruption Investigation Office near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

Meanwhile, Jeon Kwang-hoon of the Sarang Jeil Church and the Free Union Party led the Korea Correct Organization Movement Headquarters and the New Freedom Solidarity in celebrating what they called a victory after the warrant execution was postponed, stating, “We have won.” Those who had held overnight rallies between the International Lutheran Church and Hangangjin Station on Seoul Subway Line 6 continue their gathering as of 6 p.m. without disbanding.