InternationalImpeached South Korean President Gets Arrested Over Failed Martial Law

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Impeached South Korean President Gets Arrested Over Failed Martial Law

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday following his failed attempt to impose martial law. The arrest occurred after hundreds of anti-corruption investigators and police stormed the Presidential compound, ending a weeks-long standoff.

Yoon, charged with insurrection for his brief effort to enforce martial law last month, has become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested.

Before dawn on Wednesday, hundreds of officers from the Corruption Investigation Office advanced toward the presidential residence. Some scaled the compound’s walls and navigated back trails to access the main building.

This marked their second attempt to detain Yoon. The initial effort on January 3 was unsuccessful due to a tense standoff with the Presidential Security Service (PSS), who resisted investigators executing the arrest warrant.

Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, announced Wednesday morning that the president agreed to cooperate with investigators and would leave the residence to prevent a “serious incident.”

“President Yoon has decided to personally appear at the Corruption Investigation Office today,” Seok stated on Facebook, mentioning that Yoon would also deliver a public address.

However, investigators confirmed shortly after that Yoon had been officially arrested.

“The Joint Investigation Headquarters executed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol today (January 15) at 10:33 am (0130 GMT),” officials stated.

According to Reuters, Yoon’s arrest followed confrontations with his security guards, prompting investigators to use ladders to breach the residence in Seoul after being blocked at the main gate.

Investigators Arrest Presidential Security Chief Amid Yoon Suk Yeol Standoff

Kim Sung-hoon, the acting chief of the Presidential Security Service, was arrested for obstructing investigators during their initial attempt to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Yoon had resisted arrest following his failed December 3 power grab, which triggered South Korea’s most severe political crisis in decades. He had ordered soldiers to storm Parliament to prevent lawmakers from voting against his actions.

Once a prominent prosecutor, Yoon had already been suspended by lawmakers. If the court-approved arrest warrant were enforced, he would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be detained, AFP reported.

“The execution of the presidential arrest warrant has begun,” acting President Choi Sang-mok confirmed in a statement, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order during this critical time.

Chaotic Scenes in Seoul

In a tense morning in Seoul, unarmed investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police officers attempted to enter Yoon’s residence but were blocked by unidentified guards at the entrance, AFP reported.

Clashes broke out between investigators and those defending the compound. Approximately 20 investigators were later seen scaling ladders to breach the residence, according to TV footage cited by AFP.

Groups labeled “Police” and “CIO” were observed advancing up the roads toward Yoon’s hillside compound, carrying ladders and entering through multiple access points.

Ongoing Negotiations and Escalating Tension

Yoon’s lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, stated on Facebook that negotiations were in progress for the president to voluntarily surrender due to the “risk of a serious situation” between opposing forces.

At least one individual was injured during the standoff and was transported by emergency services.

Yoon’s legal team was seen outside the residence protesting the execution of the arrest warrant, while a white police van attempting to enter the premises was unsuccessful.

Security Tightens as Supporters Gather

Investigators also tried accessing the residence via a mountain hiking trail, Yonhap News TV reported. Amid the operation, police arrested Kim Seong-hun, the acting head of the presidential guard.

By early Wednesday, police had completely blocked the main road leading to Yoon’s residence with bus barricades as thousands of his staunch supporters gathered outside.

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