South Korea's presidential security chief, Park Chong-jun, declared on Sunday that he would not cooperate with efforts to detain the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing legal uncertainties surrounding the arrest warrant. This refusal could escalate the nation’s political turmoil into another dramatic confrontation.

The warrant for Yoon's arrest, issued on insurrection charges, is set to expire at midnight on Monday (1500 GMT). In his statement, Park emphasized the longstanding impartiality of the presidential security service, which has safeguarded all presidents for six decades, dismissing accusations that it had become a "private army."

Park’s remarks followed a Seoul court’s rejection of a legal challenge by Yoon’s lawyers, who argued the warrant was unlawful. Meanwhile, Yoon's legal advisor, Seok Dong-hyeon, warned on social media that any misstep in enforcing the law against a sitting president could have far-reaching consequences.

Yoon, the first incumbent South Korean president to face arrest, is accused of attempting to declare martial law on December 3—a failed move that plunged the nation into political chaos. Parliament impeached Yoon, suspending him from office while the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether to reinstate or remove him.

The controversy has sparked large-scale protests in Seoul, with thousands of demonstrators braving heavy snowfall. Protesters are deeply divided—some demanding Yoon’s immediate detention, while others rally in his defense. Labor leader Yang Kyung-soo of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions called for Yoon's arrest to restore constitutional integrity, while supporters nearby carried placards declaring loyalty to the embattled leader.

On Friday, Yoon's security forces and military blocked investigators from executing the warrant in a tense six-hour standoff. Park denied allegations from the opposition Democratic Party that he had instructed security officers to use live ammunition if overwhelmed during the standoff, calling the claims "preposterous."

Yoon’s lawyers contend the warrant is unconstitutional, arguing that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) lacks jurisdiction over insurrection cases. They have threatened legal action against the CIO’s chief and investigators, accusing them of pursuing an unauthorized and illegal warrant execution. The CIO has yet to comment.

Amid the escalating crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Seoul for talks with senior officials. Meanwhile, acting President Choi Sang-mok has urged authorities to prioritize public safety while enforcing the law. Security at Yoon’s residence has been fortified with barbed wire and barricades, underscoring the volatile atmosphere in South Korea’s capital.