Impeached South Korean President Yoon Arrested Over Failed Martial Law Bid

Seoul– South Korean authorities have arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations of insurrection stemming from his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. Yoon becomes the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to face arrest.

The Arrest

The arrest occurred on Wednesday morning after weeks of tension. A convoy escorted Yoon from his heavily secured hillside residence in central Seoul to the offices of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO). Authorities confirmed the arrest in a statement: “The Joint Investigation Headquarters executed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol today (January 15) at 10:33 am (0130 GMT).”

Yoon had been holed up at his residence, fortified by a personal security team, to avoid detention. His legal team claimed the efforts to arrest him were unlawful and intended to publicly humiliate the suspended leader. Despite this, Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, announced via Facebook that the president would cooperate with investigators to prevent any “serious incident.”

Massive Security Deployment

More than 3,000 police officers and anti-corruption investigators were deployed to Yoon’s residence before dawn. The operation faced resistance from throngs of Yoon supporters and members of his ruling People Power Party, who protested the attempts to detain him. The arrest follows a failed attempt earlier this month when investigators were blocked by Yoon’s Presidential Security Service (PSS) during a tense standoff on January 3.

Political Turmoil in South Korea

Yoon’s declaration of martial law last month sent shockwaves through South Korea, plunging the nation into political chaos. Lawmakers voted to impeach him on December 14, citing his unconstitutional actions. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to uphold the impeachment, with the trial resuming Thursday despite Yoon’s absence.

Legal Proceedings and Future Implications

Under the existing warrant, Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours. If investigators seek to extend his detention, they must apply for a new warrant. His lawyers argue that the ongoing legal actions against him are politically motivated.

Separately, Yoon’s impeachment trial began Tuesday but was adjourned after he declined to attend, citing safety concerns. The hearings will proceed without him.

Public Reaction

The dramatic turn of events has polarized public opinion in South Korea. Supporters view Yoon’s arrest as a political maneuver, while critics argue it is a necessary step to restore democratic integrity. Yoon’s martial law declaration remains a controversial and unprecedented action in the nation’s modern history.