South Korea’s Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested
South Korea’s impeached President, Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested after investigators scaled barricades and cut through barbed wire at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday.
Yoon, 64, is facing insurrection charges for a failed martial law order on December 3, which caused widespread unrest.
Despite being impeached by parliament and suspended from office, his removal depends on a Constitutional Court ruling.
Authorities faced a tense standoff on January 3, but on Wednesday, they returned with around 1,000 officers, scaling walls and using ladders to bypass obstacles to reach Yoon’s home.
Yoon, who called the investigation illegal, appeared in a video before his arrest, saying, “I decided to appear before the CIO, even though it is an illegal investigation, in order to prevent any unsavoury bloodshed.”
He also claimed, “I witnessed how authorities ‘invaded’ my home’s security perimeter with fire equipment.”
Yoon’s lawyers argue the arrest was unlawful, asserting that the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which led the operation, has no jurisdiction over insurrection charges.
They also claim the warrant was issued by the wrong jurisdiction.
However, officials from the Supreme Court and Justice Ministry have maintained that the arrest warrant was lawful.
The opposition Democratic Party’s floor leader, Park Chan-dae, said Wednesday’s arrest showed that “justice in South Korea is alive.”
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He added, “This arrest is the first step toward restoring constitutional order, democracy, and the rule of law.”
The country is currently being led by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as acting president.
He was thrust into power after the first acting president, Han Duck-soo, was also impeached by an opposition-majority parliament.
Yoon is expected to be detained overnight at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, approximately 5km (3 mi) from the CIO’s office.
If a court doesn’t issue a detention warrant within 48 hours of Yoon’s arrest, however, he will be released, and free to return to the presidential residence.
Pro-Yoon supporters have continued to protest against the arrest outside the investigating office, where he is being held.
They had gathered outside Yoon’s house on Wednesday morning, along with those opposing him.
The anti-Yoon crowd cheered, clapped and blasted out a “congratulations and celebrations” song when his arrest was announced.
The pro-Yoon camp, however, was dismayed. “We are very upset and angry – the rule of law has broken down,” a supporter told the BBC.
While the vast majority of South Koreans agree that Yoon must be held accountable for the martial law order, they cannot agree on what accountability looks like, Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, earlier told the BBC.
On Wednesday morning, the two sides underscored the deep divisions in the country – a sign that the political crisis is not over yet as more uncertainty looms.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.