Investigators abandon attempt to arrest South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol

Officials entered the presidential compound to find themselves blocked by troops under the control of the presidential security service

• South Korea investigators barred from entering Yoon residence - latest updates

South Korea's political crisis took a dramatic turn on Friday when investigators were forced to abandon an attempt to arrest the impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, after a tense standoff with his security forces.

Hours after they entered the presidential compound in Seoul, anti-corruption officials said they were halting their attempt to execute a warrant to detain Yoon over allegations that his martial law declaration in December amounted to an insurrection.