South Korean President Yoon Arrested Over Failed Martial Law Bid

AFP/APP

Seoul: Impeached South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday following his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law, marking the first time in the nation’s history that a sitting president has been detained. This arrest concluded a weeks-long standoff with authorities.

Yoon, facing charges of insurrection for his brief martial law declaration last month, has expressed his intention to cooperate with investigators to prevent further violence. The former prosecutor, who led the conservative People Power Party (PPP) to victory in 2022, could face severe penalties, including the death sentence or life imprisonment, if convicted.

In an attempt to evade arrest, Yoon remained in his residence, fortified by members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) loyal to him.

His guards installed barbed wire and barricades, turning his home into what opposition members called a “fortress.” Despite this, authorities succeeded in arresting him early on Wednesday after a five-hour standoff.

Yoon released a pre-recorded video message after his arrest, stating that he did not accept the legality of the investigation but would comply to avoid further violence.

A Closer Look at the Arrest

Earlier, investigators attempted to arrest Yoon on January 3, but he successfully thwarted the effort, resulting in a tense standoff.

This time, authorities bypassed the barricades and wire surrounding his residence, with hundreds of police and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) involved in the operation. Despite resistance from his supporters, who gathered outside the compound, Yoon was eventually detained.

Following his arrest, Yoon exercised his “right to remain silent” during questioning at the CIO offices and was later transferred to a detention center. Reports later emerged of a man setting himself on fire outside the CIO offices, tragically dying in the hospital.

In a Facebook post, Yoon reiterated claims of election fraud and referred to “hostile” nations attacking South Korea, hinting at North Korea. His supporters, continuing to protest his arrest, denounced the warrant as illegal.

Martial Law and Impeachment

Yoon shocked the nation on December 3 when he declared martial law, citing threats from North Korea and the need to eliminate anti-state elements. His move included deploying troops to parliament, though lawmakers voted against martial law, forcing Yoon to revoke it within six hours.

Following his arrest, Yoon’s legal team and ruling party condemned the warrant as unlawful. The PPP claimed that the CIO and police had executed an unjust warrant.

The Constitutional Court is also reviewing the legality of Yoon’s impeachment, with a decision expected in the coming months. If the court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will hold fresh elections within 60 days.

Political Reactions

The arrest of Yoon was met with mixed reactions. South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party hailed the move, viewing it as a step toward restoring legal and constitutional order.

The speaker of the parliament echoed these sentiments, calling for a focus on stabilizing state affairs. Meanwhile, the United States praised South Korea’s response to the crisis, citing the strength of its democratic foundation.