South Korea: Impeached President Yoon Arrested Over Failed Martial Law Attempt

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday following his failed martial law attempt, as hundreds of anti-corruption investigators and police raided his presidential compound, ending a weeks-long standoff.

A detention warrant for Yoon was executed at 10:33 AM, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) reported, marking the first arrest of a sitting president, IANS reported according to Yonhap News Agency.

Yoon, who is suspended from duty following his impeachment on December 14, faces charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

South Korean President Yoon arrested, reports Reuters citing anti-graft agency pic.twitter.com/jESG9glMjz — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025

A convoy transporting Yoon departed the presidential residence in central Seoul shortly after, heading to the CIO office in Gwacheon, south of the capital. Yoon was observed stepping out of a vehicle and entering the office for questioning, as investigators plan to request a formal arrest warrant within 48 hours.

He is accused of sending troops to the National Assembly after declaring martial law on the night of December 3 to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

The president has defended his declaration of martial law as an "act of governance" meant to send a warning to the main opposition Democratic Party over what he described as its abuse of legislative power.

(Image: IANS)