Impeached South Korean President arrested for martial law plot
Impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday, marking a historic moment as the first sitting president in the nation’s history to be detained.
His arrest follows a failed bid to impose martial law last month, which led to charges of insurrection.
Yoon, a former prosecutor and leader of the conservative People Power Party, had been under investigation for his brief and unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law on December 3, 2024.
He justified the action by claiming it was necessary to protect South Korea from the threat posed by North Korea and eliminate “anti-state elements.”
However, his attempt was quickly thwarted when lawmakers rejected the martial law decree, and Yoon revoked it after just six hours.
To avoid arrest, Yoon had remained inside his heavily fortified residence, guarded by loyal members of the Presidential Security Service. Barbed wire and barricades turned his compound into a virtual fortress. He managed to fend off an initial arrest attempt on January 3, 2025, after a tense standoff with authorities.
However, on Wednesday morning, hundreds of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) surrounded his home once more. This time, they scaled walls and navigated back trails to reach the main building. After a five-hour standoff, Yoon was taken into custody, with investigators beginning their questioning shortly after the arrest.
In a pre-recorded message, Yoon stated he was complying with the investigation to prevent further violence, though he did not accept the legality of the arrest.
Supporters, who had gathered outside his residence to protect him, clashed with authorities as they moved in, shouting “illegal warrant” and waving South Korean and American flags.
Yoon faces potential death or life imprisonment if found guilty of insurrection. He can be held for up to 48 hours without a new arrest warrant, though his legal team has repeatedly denounced the current warrant as unlawful.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court began hearings on the impeachment proceedings against Yoon. If upheld, he will lose the presidency, and new elections must be held within 60 days.
The opposition Democratic Party welcomed Yoon’s detention, calling it the “first step” toward restoring constitutional order after weeks of turmoil. Parliament’s speaker echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to focus on stabilizing the nation and improving citizens’ livelihoods.
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