South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested (X image @art____tra)
Seoul, South Korea: In a dramatic turn of event, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol is arrested. The suspended President was arrested over the accusations of insurrection for briefly imposing martial law in a move swiftly overturned by the country’s National Assembly. “The Joint Investigation Headquarters executed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol today (January 15) at 10:33 am (01:30 GMT)”, said the authorities in a statement released. As per media report, at least 1000 police officers were involved in Yoon’s arrest at his residence.
Reportedly, the South Korean police and investigators had used ladders to climb into Yoon’s residential compound after they were initially blocked by the Presidential Security Service, which barricaded the entrance using vehicles.
In a pre-recorded video message, Yoon said he had made the decision to submit to questioning over his failed martial law bid to avert “bloodshed”. The message was released after his arrest.
Also Read: South Korean Authorities Suspend Attempts To Arrest Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol After Standoff
“I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office,” Yoon said, adding that he did not accept the legality of the investigation but was complying “to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed”, he said.
A group of lawmakers from the conservative People Power Party, and the President’s lawyers attempted to prevent the arrest from inside the residential compounds, said media reports. Thousands of people, including Yoon’s supporters gathered outside his residence.
After the arrest, presidential motorcade of Yoon was seen leaving his hillside residence with police escorts. A vehicle apparently carrying Yoon later arrived at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials in the nearby city of Gwacheon.
Also Read: South Korea: Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against President Yoon Over Martial Law Decree
The arrest took place hours after he failed to appear for the first hearing of his impeachment trial over his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3. The hearing was adjourned within minutes due to Yoon’s absence.
It was the second attempt to arrest Yoon. An earlier attempt was called off after an hours-long standoff with his security team inside the presidential compound at the beginning of January. Yoon has remained inside his residence for weeks trying to evade arrest.
