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South Korean President Yoon Arrested Over Martial Law Bid

Yoon Suk Yeol has become the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office, following an operation in which investigators overcame barricades and cut through barbed wire to detain him.

At 64, Yoon is facing insurrection charges related to a failed martial law order issued on December 3 that led to national unrest.

Parliament has impeached and suspended him, and his removal depends on the Constitutional Court’s decision to uphold the impeachment.

Yoon’s arrest on Wednesday marks the conclusion of a prolonged confrontation between law enforcement and his security team.

On January 3, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) attempted to arrest him, leading to a six-hour standoff with his security personnel that ultimately failed.

Just before dawn on Wednesday, a larger team of investigators and police arrived at his central Seoul residence. They were equipped with ladders to scale buses blocking the entrance and bolt cutters to sever the barbed wire.

Approximately 1,000 officers participated in the operation, with some scaling walls and others taking trails to access the presidential home. After hours of effort, the authorities confirmed Yoon’s arrest.

In a video statement released shortly before his arrest, the 64-year-old declared his intention to cooperate with the investigation, despite asserting the illegality of the warrant.

“I decided to appear before the CIO, even though it is an illegal investigation, in order to prevent any unsavory bloodshed,” he stated, noting that he saw officials breach his home’s security perimeter using fire equipment.

During the interrogation on Wednesday, Yoon remained silent, according to investigators.

His legal team contests the arrest, arguing that the CIO lacks jurisdiction over insurrection charges and that the arrest warrant was improperly issued.

Despite these claims, the Supreme Court and Justice Ministry affirm the legality of the arrest warrant.

Park Chan-dae of the opposition Democratic Party remarked that the arrest reflects a functioning justice system in South Korea.

He views the arrest as a move towards restoring constitutional governance, democracy, and the rule of law, as stated during a party meeting.

Currently, the nation is under the temporary leadership of Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, following the impeachment of the initial acting president, Han Duck-soo.

What Lies Ahead for Yoon?

Investigators are on a deadline; they can detain Yoon for up to 48 hours under the existing warrant, beyond which a new warrant is required to extend his detention for up to 20 days until trial.

He is likely to be held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, close to the CIO’s office.

Supporters of Yoon have protested his arrest outside the investigating office, while detractors celebrated the enforcement action outside his home since the early hours of Wednesday.

The arrest announcement was met with celebration music by Yoon’s opponents, while his supporters expressed frustration over what they perceive as a breakdown of legal order.

This incident illustrates the growing polarization in South Korean society, long characterized by sharp divisions between ideological groups.

The ongoing political drama also highlights a clash between executive powers: law enforcement with a valid warrant and presidential security committed to protecting Yoon.

As the former president undergoes questioning, the country remains tense, with no immediate solution to the deepening political rift in sight.

How This Situation Developed

South Korea has been engulfed in political chaos since Yoon’s dramatic yet fleeting declaration of martial law on December 3, which prompted numerous MPs to scale fences and shatter barricades to access the National Assembly and reject the order.

Yoon claimed the declaration was to safeguard the nation from groups sympathetic to North Korea, but it was soon viewed as a move driven by his political difficulties.

Following a major opposition victory in last April’s general election, Yoon’s presidency became largely ineffective, with his administration reduced to opposing opposition-led legislation.

The subsequent weeks saw Yoon impeached by parliament, leading to his suspension and the start of a criminal investigation into the martial law attempt.

Several top officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and various political aides, resigned in the aftermath.

Thousands of South Koreans have demonstrated in recent weeks, some supporting Yoon while others demand his removal.

Yoon has stayed within his residence, ignoring multiple summonses for questioning, a stance that ultimately led to his arrest.

The Constitutional Court is concurrently holding a trial to determine his permanent removal from office, with a decision possible as early as February. The next court session is scheduled for Thursday.