S Korea impeached president arrested after investigators scale walls

In a significant turn of events in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first sitting president in the country to face such a fate. This dramatic incident unfolded on January 15, 2025, when investigators and police braved freezing temperatures and cut through barbed wire to reach Yoon at his official residence in Seoul. The 64-year-old president is under investigation for serious charges related to a failed martial law order he attempted to impose on December 3, which led to widespread chaos and unrest in the nation. Although Yoon has been impeached by the parliament, he will only be removed from office if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment decision. His arrest concluded a tense standoff that lasted for weeks between investigators and Yoon's security team. On January 3, investigators attempted to arrest him but were thwarted by his security detail for six hours. However, on Wednesday morning, a much larger team of around 1,000 investigators and police arrived at his residence, equipped with ladders to scale buses blocking the entrance and bolt cutters to remove the barbed wire. After several hours of effort, authorities announced that Yoon had been taken into custody. Just before his arrest, Yoon released a three-minute video in which he stated his intention to cooperate with the investigators, while also asserting that the arrest warrant was not legally valid. He expressed his desire to prevent any unnecessary violence, saying, 'I decided to appear before the CIO, even though it is an illegal investigation, in order to prevent any unsavoury bloodshed. ' He also claimed to have witnessed officials breach the security perimeter of his home using fire equipment. Following his arrest, investigators reported that Yoon remained silent during questioning. His legal team argued that the arrest was unlawful, asserting that the Corruption Investigation Office, which is responsible for investigating high-ranking officials, does not have the authority to probe insurrection allegations. They also contended that the warrant was issued by the wrong jurisdiction. The court later dismissed an injunction filed by Yoon to invalidate the arrest warrant, which authorities maintained was legitimate. The opposition Democratic Party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, commented that Yoon's arrest demonstrated that 'justice in South Korea is alive. ' He described the arrest as a crucial step toward restoring constitutional order, democracy, and the rule of law. In the meantime, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has stepped in as acting president, following the removal of the previous acting president by parliament, where the opposition holds a significant majority. The clock is now ticking for investigators, as they have a limited timeframe to question Yoon. Under the current warrant, they can detain him for up to 48 hours from the time of his arrest, after which they will need to secure a new warrant to continue holding him during the investigation. If granted, this new warrant would allow them to detain him for up to 20 days before he faces trial. If they do not obtain a new warrant, Yoon must be released. Reports indicate that Yoon was questioned at the CIO's office until late in the evening before being transferred to the Seoul Detention Centre, located approximately 5 kilometers away. Outside the CIO's office, supporters of Yoon protested against his arrest, having gathered there since early morning. In contrast, those opposing him celebrated the news of his arrest, playing a song of congratulations and cheering at what they viewed as a victory for law enforcement. Yoon's supporters expressed their anger and disappointment, with one stating, 'We are very upset and angry. The rule of law has broken down. ' Additionally, there were reports of a man setting himself on fire near the CIO's office, although it remains unclear if this incident was connected to Yoon's arrest. The contrasting scenes outside the investigation office reflect the deep divisions within South Korean society, which has long been characterized by stark political polarization between conservatives and progressives. The political turmoil in the country has intensified since Yoon's controversial martial law declaration on December 3, which prompted many members of parliament to climb fences and break through barricades to vote against it. Yoon claimed he was acting to protect the nation from 'anti-state' forces sympathetic to North Korea, but it soon became evident that he was motivated by his own political troubles. Since the opposition party won the general election by a landslide last April, Yoon has struggled to maintain his authority, leading to his impeachment and subsequent suspension. The political crisis has also resulted in the resignation of several top leaders and aides, further complicating the situation. Tens of thousands of South Koreans have taken to the streets in recent weeks, braving the cold to express their support for Yoon or to call for his removal from office. Throughout this turmoil, Yoon has remained holed up in his residence, refusing to comply with multiple summonses for questioning, a defiant stance that ultimately led to his arrest. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has begun its proceedings regarding Yoon's impeachment, with observers suggesting that a ruling could be delivered as early as February. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, as the nation watches closely to see how this political saga unfolds.