Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody on Wednesday, more than a month after his martial law declaration sent shockwaves through the country.
Yoon defied a previous arrest attempt as his security forces and thousands of his supporters stood between the police and his presidential compound in Seoul. In a second attempt to detain Yoon, more than 3,000 police officers were sent to the president’s compound and arrested him with “no significant physical clashes,” the Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials (CIO) said, according to CNBC. The CIO added, “This time, there were no individuals or security staff actively obstructing the execution.”
Yoon was questioned by officials and sent to a detention center after his arrest, the Associated Press reported. Before his arrest, Yoon said in a recorded video that the “rule of law has completely collapsed in this country,” arguing that the CIO investigation into his actions was “illegal.” The president added that he would willingly appear before the CIO for questioning to “prevent an unpleasant bloodshed.”
Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters showed up outside the CIO office where he was being questioned, with some protesters holding signs that read, “We will fight alongside President Yoon Suk Yeol,” according to the AP.
The CIO was granted an arrest warrant for Yoon by a Seoul court late last month. Yoon is accused of abusing his power when he declared martial law and dispatched the military to the National Assembly as lawmakers gathered to undo the martial law decree on December 3. He was later impeached, and his presidential powers were suspended. To be removed from office, six of the nine justices on South Korea’s Constitutional Court must vote in favor of his removal.
CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT
The CIO has 48 hours to request a court order for Yoon’s formal arrest, which, if granted, could lead to the impeached president being detained for up to 20 days before his indictment. An indictment on rebellion and abuse of power charges could keep Yoon in police custody for up to six months or when the court makes its initial ruling on the case, the AP reported.
Yoon declared martial law last month, arguing it was necessary “to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.”
Yoon cited an unworkable relationship with the opposition-led National Assembly, which had targeted 22 officials for impeachment since Yoon took office in 2022 and, according to Yoon, planned to target 10 more officials. The president also cited National Assembly reductions in the national budget, which he said “undermined the essential functions of the state and turned Korea into a drug paradise and a public order panic.”
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.
[#item_full_content]
[[{“value”:”
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody on Wednesday, more than a month after his martial law declaration sent shockwaves through the country.
Yoon defied a previous arrest attempt as his security forces and thousands of his supporters stood between the police and his presidential compound in Seoul. In a second attempt to detain Yoon, more than 3,000 police officers were sent to the president’s compound and arrested him with “no significant physical clashes,” the Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials (CIO) said, according to CNBC. The CIO added, “This time, there were no individuals or security staff actively obstructing the execution.”
Yoon was questioned by officials and sent to a detention center after his arrest, the Associated Press reported. Before his arrest, Yoon said in a recorded video that the “rule of law has completely collapsed in this country,” arguing that the CIO investigation into his actions was “illegal.” The president added that he would willingly appear before the CIO for questioning to “prevent an unpleasant bloodshed.”
Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters showed up outside the CIO office where he was being questioned, with some protesters holding signs that read, “We will fight alongside President Yoon Suk Yeol,” according to the AP.
The CIO was granted an arrest warrant for Yoon by a Seoul court late last month. Yoon is accused of abusing his power when he declared martial law and dispatched the military to the National Assembly as lawmakers gathered to undo the martial law decree on December 3. He was later impeached, and his presidential powers were suspended. To be removed from office, six of the nine justices on South Korea’s Constitutional Court must vote in favor of his removal.
CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT
The CIO has 48 hours to request a court order for Yoon’s formal arrest, which, if granted, could lead to the impeached president being detained for up to 20 days before his indictment. An indictment on rebellion and abuse of power charges could keep Yoon in police custody for up to six months or when the court makes its initial ruling on the case, the AP reported.
Yoon declared martial law last month, arguing it was necessary “to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces.”
Yoon cited an unworkable relationship with the opposition-led National Assembly, which had targeted 22 officials for impeachment since Yoon took office in 2022 and, according to Yoon, planned to target 10 more officials. The president also cited National Assembly reductions in the national budget, which he said “undermined the essential functions of the state and turned Korea into a drug paradise and a public order panic.”
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.
“}]]
