South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested over failed Martial Law bid
On Wednesday, South Korean investigators arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed attempt to impose martial law. This marks the first time in the nation’s history that a sitting president has been arrested. Yoon, charged with insurrection, was previously impeached over his brief power grab last month, where he attempted to deploy soldiers to storm Parliament.
Hundreds of officers from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police raided Yoon’s presidential residence early Wednesday. Some climbed over walls and used back trails to enter. This raid came after a failed attempt on January 3, which ended in a standoff with Yoon’s Presidential Security Service (PSS). They had blocked investigators from executing the arrest warrant, leading to tense hours of negotiations.
Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, stated that the president would cooperate and appear before investigators to avoid a “serious incident.” However, moments later, the authorities confirmed Yoon’s arrest at 10:33 am (0130 GMT). The arrest took place after investigators clashed with Yoon’s security personnel, who attempted to block their entry. Investigators also arrested Kim Sung-hoon, the acting chief of the PSS, for obstructing the first attempt.
The situation stems from Yoon’s controversial decision on December 3, when he directed soldiers to storm Parliament in an attempt to prevent lawmakers from blocking his actions. This move sparked the country’s worst political crisis in decades. Yoon has already been suspended from his duties by lawmakers, but the court-ordered arrest will make him the first sitting South Korean president to face prosecution.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok commented on the critical situation, stressing that this event was vital for upholding order and the rule of law in the country. Tensions escalated early on as police and investigators tried to enter the compound, only to be blocked by Yoon’s defenders. At least one person was injured during the standoff and was taken to safety by fire authorities.
Investigators had to take alternative routes, including scaling walls and hiking trails, to bypass the security. At the same time, Yoon’s lawyers protested the arrest warrant’s execution outside the residence. Yoon’s supporters, who gathered in large numbers outside, removed barricades set up by police to block the main road.
Despite the challenges, the investigators pressed on. Their persistence led to the arrest of Kim Seong-hun, the acting head of the presidential guard. The chaos outside the residence highlighted the divide between Yoon’s loyalists and those pressing for justice.
As investigators gained control of the situation, South Korea’s political landscape faced a historic shift. Yoon’s arrest is expected to have far-reaching implications for the nation’s political future, with many questioning the stability and rule of law in the wake of this unprecedented move.
