Impeached South Korean President Arrested


Impeached South Korean President Arrested

President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained by the country’s anti-corruption agency on charges of rebellion following his declaration of martial law on December 3 and ignoring repeated summons for questioning; following arrest, Yoon claims 'rule of law has completely collapsed'

 
south korea

January 15, 2025 - Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested this morning, January 15, by the country’s anti-corruption agency. More than 1,000 police and anti-corruption officers entered the Seoul presidential residence of Yoon, where he had been staying since December 12 after declaring martial law. The detention warrant had been issued by a Court for charges of rebellion after Yoon ignored several summons for questioning.

In a pre-recorded video message, the People Power Party leader and South Korea President Yoon said he allowed himself to be taken into custody to “prevent bloodshed” and claimed that the “rule of law has completely collapsed” following his arrest.

South Korea’s anti-corruption agency officials, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) and police arrived at Yoon’s residence with search and detention warrant. They were prevented from entering the compound by the Presidential Security Service (PSS) with barricades set up to block their entry. After hours of intense standoff and negotiations with his lawyers, the President was taken into custody.

This was the second attempt by the law enforcement agencies to detain Yoon. Earlier on January 3, the agencies had attempted to arrest him but their entry into the Presidential compound had been blocked by the PSS citing security concerns.

The country’s anti-corruption agency is leading a joint investigation with police and the military over whether Yoon’s martial law declaration has amounted to an attempted rebellion. The South Korean President was impeached by the National Assembly in December 2024 by a 204-85 vote count over his declaration of martial law.

The Constitutional Court held a hearing yesterday, January 14, on Yoon’s removal or reinstatement. But the hearing was brief because of Yoon did not appear for it. Another hearing to deliberate on Yoon’s impeachment is slated for tomorrow, January 16, and is expected to continue even in his absence.

The sequence of events as they unfolded:

  • December 3: Martial Law declared; lawmakers nullify the decree
  • December 4: Impeachment filed by Opposition accusing Yoon of insurrection
  • December 7: Yoon apologises but protests continue
  • December 14: Yoon is impeached by the National Assembly and suspended from office
  • December 30: Arrest warrant issued by Court after Yoon does not appear for hearing
  • January 3: First attempt to arrest Yoon unsuccessful
  • January 15: Yoon is arrested

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