In an unprecedented move, South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained by the Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials—marking a historic first for a South Korean sitting leader, according to the report by Yonhap..
This arrest attempt was executed after an unsuccessful bid on January 3, when the Presidential Security Service obstructed investigators from entering the presidential residence.
Roughly 3,000 police officers were reportedly deployed in this second attempt to gain access to President Yoon’s compound, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. The initial arrest warrant was authorized on December 31 by a Seoul district court following Yoon’s failure to attend a questioning session. Although it expired on January 6, the warrant’s validity was extended to facilitate this new operation.
Yoon is facing grave accusations of insurrection related to his aborted martial law proclamation on December 3. This charge is notably not shielded by presidential immunity and carries a maximum penalty of death. Last month, President Yoon startled the nation by declaring martial law in an overnight broadcast, citing threats from “North Korean communist forces” and “antistate forces.” This was the first instance of martial law in South Korea in over 40 years.
Parliamentary lawmakers swiftly acted against the martial law declaration by dismantling police barricades to convene and cast votes nullifying the move. Consequently, they filed impeachment motions, leading to Yoon’s impeachment on December 14 and his subsequent suspension from presidential duties.
The Constitutional Court of South Korea had commenced Yoon’s impeachment trial on January 14 but postponed to January 16 after Yoon’s non-appearance. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case draws enormous attention, signaling significant political implications for the country’s future leadership dynamics.
