The Seoul Western District Court extended Yoon’s arrest warrant, which expired on Monday, according to the country’s anti-graft agency. The agency’s chief Oh Dong-woon apologised earlier in the day for the failure to arrest Yoon, due to his security forces strong resistance, and vowed to arrest him in the second attempt.

Thousands of South Korean citizens were gathering on Sunday near impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s residence a day before an arrest warrant for him expires.

Yoon Suk Yeol's security officers refuse to allow police to arrest him over his failed attempt to impose martial law last month.