In a dramatic development, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday following allegations of insurrection. This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has been arrested while in office, although the country has previously seen former leaders face prosecution.
Yoon, who had been staying at his residence surrounded by personal security, decided to comply with the arrest after more than 3,000 police officers attempted to take him into custody. Despite calling the investigation illegal, he stated that he chose to cooperate to prevent bloodshed.
The arrest stems from his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which shocked the nation and caused economic turmoil. The declaration led to political chaos, eventually resulting in lawmakers voting to impeach him on December 14.
Yoon’s lawyers argue that the arrest was unlawful, as it was carried out under the wrong jurisdiction and by an investigative team without proper authority. However, Yoon submitted to questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to avoid further conflict.
This arrest is a significant moment in South Korea’s political history, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggles with corruption and political instability.
