In a historic and dramatic turn of events, South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested on Wednesday over his controversial attempt to impose martial law, marking the first time a South Korean leader has been detained.
Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection, had resisted arrest for weeks, fortifying his residence with barbed wire, barricades, and a loyal security detail from the Presidential Security Service (PSS). Despite his efforts to avoid capture, authorities successfully apprehended him after a pre-dawn raid.
Hundreds of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) surrounded Yoon’s residence before dawn. In an elaborate operation, they scaled walls and used back trails to approach the main building. The standoff lasted five hours before Yoon, seemingly resigned to his fate, surrendered and issued a pre-recorded video statement.
“I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office,” Yoon said in the video. “Although I do not accept the legality of this investigation, I am complying to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed.”
Following his surrender, Yoon was taken to the CIO offices, where questioning began immediately. Outside his compound, Yoon’s supporters clashed with authorities, voicing their discontent by chanting “illegal warrant!” and waving both South Korean and American flags. Some protesters even laid on the ground in an attempt to block the arrest, calling the charges against Yoon unjust.
“History will inevitably record the fact that the CIO and the police executed an unjust and illegal warrant,” said Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP). The situation reflected a deep division in South Korean politics, with Yoon’s loyalists condemning the process, while his critics hailed the developments as a sign of justice.
The controversy began on December 3, when Yoon, citing threats from North Korea and “anti-state elements,” declared martial law. However, lawmakers strongly rejected his order, voting overwhelmingly against the imposition of martial law. After just six hours, facing growing public and political pressure, Yoon revoked the decree. This move ultimately led to his impeachment by parliament and triggered an ongoing Constitutional Court trial.
If the court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will lose the presidency, and fresh elections will be triggered within 60 days. The opposition Democratic Party celebrated Yoon’s detention, calling it a critical step toward restoring constitutional and legal order in the country. “This is the first step to restoring constitutional and legal order after weeks of turmoil,” said Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae.
Speaker of Parliament Woo Won-shik echoed these sentiments, urging the country to focus on stability. “Now that the chaotic situation has ended, we should concentrate our efforts on stabilizing state affairs and restoring people’s livelihoods,” he said.
Yoon’s arrest has added a new layer of complexity to his impeachment trial, which began on Tuesday. If the court upholds the impeachment, Yoon could face criminal charges, with possible sentencing ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty for insurrection.
The arrest also raises significant questions about the future of Yoon’s People Power Party and its chances in upcoming elections. With Yoon now detained, the party must navigate a period of intense political uncertainty.
Yoon is permitted to be held for 48 hours without a renewed arrest warrant. Investigators are expected to apply for an extension as they continue probing his actions. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court trial is set to resume Thursday, with proceedings likely to continue for several months as the country awaits a final resolution.
