SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korean investigators have arrested suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol on 15 January, nearly six weeks after he imposed martial law in a move later overturned by the National Assembly.
Yoon, who was impeached on 14 December 2024, faces charges of insurrection.
The Joint Investigation Headquarters issued a statement confirming the arrest.
“The Joint Investigation Headquarters executed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol today (15 January) at 10:33 am (01:30 GMT),” it said.
The arrest operation involved approximately 1,000 police officers, according to local media.
Earlier that morning, investigators used ladders to enter Yoon’s residential compound after being blocked by the Presidential Security Service.
The service had barricaded the entrance with vehicles and was supported by members of the conservative People Power Party and Yoon’s legal team.
Yonhap News reported that the standoff persisted until investigators gained access to the premises.
Seok Dong-hyeon, a long-time adviser to Yoon, told Reuters that the president was prepared to cooperate if authorities retreated from his residence.
However, Yoon’s legal team had earlier stated that he would not attend his impeachment hearing, citing his inability to express himself freely due to the looming arrest.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok urged for calm amid the tense situation.
“I will sternly hold those responsible if unfortunate events occur,” he said, calling for restraint and warning against physical clashes between state agencies.
The arrest comes after Yoon failed to attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial on 14 January.
His absence led to the adjournment of proceedings, which had been scheduled following his impeachment vote. The National Assembly had voted overwhelmingly in favour of impeachment after Yoon’s surprise declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024.
The operation on 15 January was the second attempt to detain Yoon after an earlier effort at the start of the month ended in a prolonged standoff.
Since then, Yoon had remained confined to his villa in Seoul, evading arrest while thousands of supporters gathered outside his residence in protest.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law on 3 December, made during a late-night address, prompted widespread criticism and accusations of overstepping presidential authority.
His actions led to swift opposition from lawmakers, culminating in his impeachment by the National Assembly 11 days later.
This high-profile arrest marks a critical juncture in South Korea’s political landscape.
Authorities are expected to continue their investigation into Yoon’s actions while the impeachment trial progresses.
