South Korea: Arrest of Impeached President Yoon Ends Political Stalemate
SEOUL:South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday, charging him with insurrection. Yoon, citing a desire to prevent violence, agreed to cooperate with the investigation, ending weeks of tense political standoff.
Yoon had declared martial law on December 3, an act that triggered widespread outrage and led lawmakers to impeach him, suspending his presidential duties. Since then, he had remained in his fortified hillside residence, protected by personal security forces who previously repelled an attempt to detain him.
This historic event marks the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested, adding another dramatic episode to the nation’s democratic history, known for holding former leaders accountable.
Faced with over 3,000 police officers who breached his security perimeter on Wednesday, Yoon ultimately surrendered. “To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, I decided to comply with the investigation, even though it is unlawful,” Yoon said in a statement.
He was transported to the anti-corruption agency’s offices, where investigators have 48 hours to question him. They must then either seek a formal detention warrant for up to 20 days or release him.
Yoon’s legal team has condemned the arrest as politically motivated and unlawful, accusing authorities of attempting to publicly humiliate him. Meanwhile, minor clashes erupted between Yoon’s tearful supporters and police near his residence, according to eyewitnesses.
Yoon’s martial law declaration disrupted South Korea’s economic stability and plunged the country into political chaos. Lawmakers impeached him on December 14, but the Constitutional Court has yet to decide whether to uphold the impeachment, which would permanently remove him from office, or reinstate his presidential authority.
