South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested, making him the first sitting leader in the nation’s history to face such action. Investigators broke through barricades and barbed wire at his residence in central Seoul early Wednesday. Yoon, 64, is accused of insurrection for a failed martial law order on December 3 that threw the country into crisis.
A team of 1,000 investigators and police executed the dramatic arrest. Some scaled walls and nearby trails, while others used ladders and bolt cutters. Yoon had resisted previous attempts by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to arrest him earlier this month.
In a video released before his arrest, Yoon claimed the investigation was illegal but said he would cooperate to avoid violence. “I decided to appear to prevent unsavory bloodshed,” he said. Yoon was later taken to the Seoul Detention Centre after hours of questioning.
Legal Battle Surrounding Arrest
Yoon’s lawyers argue the arrest is unlawful. They claim the CIO has no authority to investigate insurrection charges. They also say the warrant was issued by the wrong jurisdiction.
Despite these objections, a court dismissed Yoon’s request to invalidate the warrant. Investigators insist the warrant is legal and valid. Opposition leaders from the Democratic Party praised the arrest, calling it a victory for democracy and justice.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now acting president. He took over after former acting president Han Duck-soo was impeached earlier by the opposition-dominated parliament.
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What’s Next for Yoon?
Authorities have 48 hours to question Yoon under the current warrant. After that, they must request a new warrant to extend his detention. If granted, they can hold him for up to 20 days before trial.
Pro-Yoon supporters and critics have clashed since his arrest. Supporters claim the rule of law has been undermined, while critics celebrate the action as necessary for justice. Outside the CIO’s office, anti-Yoon protesters cheered when the arrest was announced.
Reports of a man setting himself on fire near the CIO’s office emerged later in the day. However, it remains unclear whether this incident is linked to the arrest.
Yoon’s arrest has divided South Korea, with the nation waiting to see how the legal proceedings unfold.
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