South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was taken into custody on Wednesday following a month-long standoff prompted by his controversial declaration of martial law in South Korea. His arrest was made after allegations of abuse of power and rebellion, marking a pivotal moment in South Korea’s ongoing political crisis.
Authorities had made an initial attempt to arrest Yoon before but faced resistance as thousands of his supporters and security forces surrounded the presidential compound in Seoul. In a second, more coordinated effort, over 3,000 police officers entered the compound, arresting Yoon without major clashes. Officials stated that this operation proceeded smoothly compared to the first attempt, where opposition was significantly stronger.
After his arrest, Yoon was taken to a detention center for questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials (CIO). Prior to being detained, he had criticized the legal proceedings against him, labeling them as unconstitutional. He also indicated that his arrest was a move to silence dissent, urging his supporters to remain vigilant.
The arrest warrant for Yoon was issued by a Seoul court in late December. He faces allegations of power misuse following his declaration of martial law last month. This controversial action involved deploying military forces to the National Assembly as lawmakers convened to annul the decree. The resulting backlash led to Yoon’s impeachment and suspension of presidential powers. His removal from office now hinges on a vote by South Korea’s Constitutional Court, where six of nine justices must agree to uphold his impeachment.
Yoon’s martial law declaration was framed as a measure to safeguard South Korea against threats from North Korea and alleged internal anti-state elements. He justified the move by citing an uncooperative opposition-led National Assembly, which had initiated multiple impeachment motions against his administration. Additionally, Yoon blamed the assembly for budget cuts that he claimed compromised public safety and national stability.
Following his arrest, hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the CIO headquarters, voicing their allegiance and condemning the investigation. The CIO has 48 hours to seek a formal arrest order, which could lead to Yoon’s detention for up to 20 days before indictment. If convicted, Yoon could face up to six months in custody while awaiting the court’s decision on his case.
