South Korea arrests impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL,— South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested Wednesday on charges of insurrection, a historic move marking the first-ever detention of an incumbent leader in the nation’s history. Yoon said he agreed to cooperate with what he called an “illegal investigation” to prevent violence.

“I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, even though I consider this probe unlawful,” Yoon stated.

Authorities deployed more than 3,000 police officers to his hillside residence early Wednesday morning. Yoon had previously resisted arrest attempts with the help of a security team, but this time, he exited his home in a motorcade, heading for questioning at the CIO offices.

Officials now have 48 hours to question him. They must either request a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days or release him. Yoon’s legal team argues that the arrest warrant is invalid, claiming it was issued in the wrong jurisdiction and that the investigating team lacks proper authority.

The drama follows Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, which lawmakers swiftly condemned. His declaration stunned South Korea’s vibrant democracy and disrupted its economy, the fourth-largest in Asia. Parliament voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, 2024, leaving the Constitutional Court to decide whether to permanently remove him or reinstate his powers.

The arrest, captured live by news outlets, gripped South Koreans. Before dawn, police buses arrived at Yoon’s residence, pushing through a crowd of supporters armed with flags and banners that read, “Stop the Steal,” echoing Yoon’s unfounded claims of election fraud.

Minor scuffles broke out between police and protesters, who braved freezing temperatures to defend the president. “It’s heartbreaking to see our country in turmoil,” said Kim Woo-sub, a 70-year-old protester. “I hope President Trump will support Yoon. Both faced similar issues of election fraud, and the U.S. needs South Korea in the fight against China.”

Despite broad public disapproval of Yoon’s martial law declaration, his arrest has energized his supporters and bolstered his People Power Party (PPP). A Realmeter poll released Monday showed the PPP’s support at 40.8%, close to the opposition Democratic Party’s 42.2%. The gap has narrowed significantly from the previous week.

As the Constitutional Court deliberates Yoon’s fate, South Korea’s political landscape remains tense, underscoring deep divisions in one of Washington’s key allies in East Asia.

(With files from Reuters)