South Korean authorities have taken President Yoon Suk Yeol into custody over his failed declaration of martial law, marking a dramatic turn of events. This development comes weeks after an initial attempt to detain him ended in a tense standoff at his residence, where he had been staying since his impeachment. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) executed the arrest warrant at 10:33 a.m. local time, following the arrival of hundreds of police officers at Yoon’s presidential compound in central Seoul. Notably, Yoon is the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office. Yoon’s impeachment last month was sparked by his short-lived martial law order, which threw South Korea into political turmoil.
“Unlike the first execution attempt, this time there were no individuals or security staff actively obstructing the execution, and there were no significant physical clashes,” the CIO said in a briefing.
In a national address, Yoon contested the legality of the warrant but chose to cooperate to avoid a potentially violent confrontation.
“Unfortunately, the rule of law in this country has completely collapsed,” he said, according to his office. The main opposition Democratic Party hailed Yoon’s arrest as “the first step towards restoring constitutional order.”
“Although delayed, it is a relief to confirm that public authority and justice are still alive in South Korea,” floor leader Park Chan-dae said in a text briefing.
Before dawn, investigators arrived at President Yoon’s residence, only to be met with resistance from his security personnel, who blocked their initial attempt to detain him on January 3. Lawyers representing Yoon, along with lawmakers from his People Power Party, gathered on the access road, arguing that the warrant was invalid and preventing police from approaching the residence’s entrance.
In the surrounding area, thousands of Yoon’s supporters and critics held rival protests in freezing temperatures. Many conservative supporters carried American flags and placards bearing slogans inspired by former US President Donald Trump, such as “Stop the Steal,” referencing Yoon’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud that partly led to his declaration of martial law.
Police officers eventually made their way up the hillside villa, pushing past multiple blockades composed of vehicles and barbed wire. Yoon’s legal team stated that he was willing to appear for questioning voluntarily, rather than being taken into custody.
A convoy of black SUVs was later seen departing the presidential compound with a police escort, and Yoon arrived at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) shortly thereafter.
“The president remained very composed as he was being arrested,” Yoon Sang Hyun, a PPP lawmaker who was with Yoon at his residence as he was taken into custody, said in a phone interview. “He even comforted me, instead.” He said he understood that Yoon planned to exercise his right to remain silent.
President Yoon can be detained for up to 48 hours. After this period, investigators must obtain another warrant to formally indict and continue holding him. Yoon faces potential charges of insurrection, a crime for which South Korean presidents do not have immunity.
Yoon, 64, is also set to face trial at the Constitutional Court to determine whether his impeachment on December 14 will be upheld. His impeachment suspended him from presidential duties. Notably, Yoon did not attend the first day of proceedings on Tuesday, citing security concerns.The hearing on Tuesday lasted approximately four minutes. A second hearing is scheduled for Thursday. In contrast to the first attempt, the warrant was executed relatively smoothly on Wednesday.
During the initial attempt, Yoon’s presidential bodyguards clashed with law enforcement officers for nearly six hours. The bodyguards argued they were legally required to protect the president. Investigators eventually withdrew but vowed to take necessary measures in their next attempt.The warrant was re-issued last week after expiring. South Korea’s acting leader, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, had expressed concerns about potential clashes between authorities and the presidential bodyguards on Wednesday.
Despite these concerns, the execution of the warrant proceeded without major incident. Yoon’s detention marks a significant development in the ongoing political situation in South Korea.
“This moment is a crucial one for maintaining order and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea,” he said, using South Korea’s formal name. “The entire nation and the international community are closely watching this situation.”
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) had announced plans to deploy approximately 1,000 police officers to assist in executing the warrant. Authorities issued a warning that anyone attempting to obstruct the process could face arrest. Yoon’s supporters claim that his opponents are trying to humiliate him, and that taking him away in handcuffs could ignite a “civil war” in a country already deeply divided along ideological and generational lines.
“He is being treated as though he were a member of a South American drug cartel,” Chung Jin-suk, Yoon’s chief of staff, said Tuesday.
President Yoon, who began his five-year term in 2022, has faced significant challenges in advancing his legislative agenda due to opposition from the parliament.In a surprise televised address on December 3, Yoon accused “anti-state forces” of hindering the government and sympathizing with North Korea, declaring emergency martial law. This move included a ban on all political activities.
However, Yoon lifted the martial law order, the first in South Korea since 1980, approximately six hours later. This followed a unanimous parliamentary vote rejecting the declaration. Although Yoon apologized for the order, claiming it was within his presidential powers, he has consistently defied summonses to appear for questioning in the ongoing criminal investigation.
The martial law episode has sent shockwaves throughout South Korea, a nation with a tumultuous history of military-authoritarian rule. Despite this, the country has successfully transitioned into a vibrant democracy and boasts the world’s 10th-largest economy. Yoon’s actions have sparked widespread concern, highlighting the delicate balance between presidential powers and democratic institutions in South Korea.
Source: https://nbcnews.com
