South Korean officials are trying to arrest President Yeon Suk-yeol for a second time after declaring martial law failed.
The impeached Yoon is a man wanted for abusing his power, and his official residence is soon to be surrounded by 1,000 riot police, according to the BBC.
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Police have issued an arrest warrant for the ill-fated president after he was charged with rebellion over his failed attempt to impose martial law.
Authorities first began raiding the house at around 5am on Wednesday local time (8pm Tuesday UK time).
They have been met with opposition from the president's private security service, and are now said to be engaged in a tense standoff.
Yoon's staff are said to have barricaded the luxury villa in anticipation of another arrest attempt.
It appears that a large defensive barrier has been built around the gates by stopping buses, trucks and cars to block the entrance.
Yoon's loyal supporters even created their own blockades using themselves as human shields, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Leon loyalists made a similar move at the beginning of January when officials first tried to arrest the president.
Hundreds of people pledged to prevent the arrest “with our lives,” with some even chanting, “President Yoon Suk-yeol will be protected by the people.”
Why is Yoon a wanted man?
South Korea's parliament has been investigating the power grab since it occurred on December 3.
Yoon allegedly asked the defense chief to “break down the doors.” [of the parliament]Even if it means shooting.”
The president declared martial law in a late-night television address that seemed to come out of nowhere.
But the martial law decree was only in effect for six hours when Yoon succumbed to public pressure and mass protests that quickly erupted.
Elite Special Forces soldiers armed with high-powered rifles had already stormed Parliament and were given permission to open fire.
Seoul residents went to Parliament and protested, forming a human shield against the heavily armed forces.
Brave deputies and employees confronted soldiers with fire extinguishers and built barricades out of office furniture.
Within hours, 190 lawmakers defied troop and police cordons to vote against Yoon's order.
He told the South Koreans that he needed to liberate the country from North Korean forces trying to “paralyze the basic functions of the state.”
Analysts described Yoon's decision as a “last-ditch effort” by a “lame-faced president” to advance his agenda.
He was then removed on December 14 in an overwhelming vote that also saw members of his own party vote in his favour.
Despite his impeachment, Yoon declared that he “will not give up” and called on officials to maintain the stability of the government.
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