Investigators use stairs to enter President Yoon's residence after being blocked by South Korean security forces

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. (Wikimedia Commons/DEMA/Lee Kyung Won)

JAKARTA - Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Agency of High-ranking Officials (CIO) used the stairs to enter the presidential residence complex on Wednesday local time, in a second attempt to detain South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in connection with the imposition of a military emergency earlier last month.

As of late morning, dozens of police officers had entered the compound in downtown Seoul and crossed barricades to carry out a warrant for Yoon's arrest and search his residence about 2 1/2 hours after their efforts began.

Investigators were initially blocked by the Presidential Security Service (PSS), which set up barricades using vehicles near the entrance. They were also blocked by a group of lawmakers from the ruling People's Power Party and lawyer Yoon at the entrance.

Several investigators appear to be trying to secure access to the compound via a nearby hiking trail.

"This is not fair law enforcement," said Yun Gap-geun, one of the lawyers, who called the investigator's efforts "illegal" as reported by The Korea Times January 15.

Meanwhile, police broadcast a warning broadcast that any attempt to resist in the implementation of the warrant could lead to an arrest.

A large crowd gathered outside the residence, with police initially estimating around 6,500 supporters of the president who were impeached to attend.

Police have deployed about 3,000 personnel to secure access to the compound, with physical clashes taking place between investigators and Yoon supporters. Firefighters arrived at the scene to treat a middle-aged woman lying on the ground.

Previously, investigators failed to arrest Yoon earlier this month after hours of stalemate with his security staff at the residence where Yoon has lived since the National Assembly impeached him on December 14.

The Seoul Western District Court previously issued a warrant for Yoon's detention after he rejected three summons from investigators to attend an investigation into his failed attempt to impose a military emergency on December 3.

The warrant, which was granted an extension last week after expiration, will remain in effect until January 21.