South Korean police have detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday, local time, ABC News confirmed. This marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political history, as it is the first time a South Korean president has been arrested while in office.
The detention follows weeks of escalating tension after Yoon declared martial law in December, a controversial decision that was met with widespread backlash. Prosecutors from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) executed the arrest warrant at 10:33 a.m. local time. Yoon was subsequently transported to the CIO headquarters for questioning in his presidential security vehicle, according to CIO spokesperson Kim Baek-ki.
On January 3, anti-corruption authorities attempted to enter Yoon’s property but were met with resistance from his security team, resulting in a standoff. During the incident, approximately 3,000 police officers were deployed to the scene, accompanied by thousands of protesters who sought to prevent the arrest. The standoff concluded without a resolution, and the arrest was postponed.
The arrest stems from a warrant issued by a South Korean court on December 31, following allegations of insurrection and abuse of power related to Yoon’s declaration of martial law. Yoon had accused the opposition Democratic Party of paralyzing the government and colluding with North Korea, justifying his actions as necessary to restore order. However, his decision to impose martial law was widely condemned as an overreach of executive power.
Yoon’s presidency has been under suspension since December 14, and the investigation into his actions has intensified since then. Prosecutors claim Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning, prompting the court to approve the unprecedented arrest warrant. This development underscores the gravity of the charges, as South Korea’s constitution permits the arrest of a sitting president if accused of insurrection.
The detention of Yoon has reignited political tensions in South Korea, with supporters and detractors of the former president clashing in public demonstrations. While Yoon’s allies argue that the charges are politically motivated, critics assert that his actions threatened democratic norms and warranted accountability.
This incident is expected to have lasting implications for South Korea’s political landscape, highlighting the challenges of holding high-ranking officials accountable while maintaining public trust in democratic institutions. Further developments are awaited as Yoon undergoes questioning and the legal proceedings unfold.