This has never happened in South Korea! Deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested over his brief declaration of martial law. The arrest warrant was executed Wednesday morning, said authorities, who are investigating Yoon for rioting.
He is the country’s first sitting head of state to be taken into custody. In a video message, Yoon explained that he had decided to undergo the interrogation.
Yoon wants to prevent ‘bloodshed’.
He decided to answer questions, Yoon said in the video. He did not recognize the legitimacy of the investigation, but submitted to the interrogation “to avoid unfortunate bloodshed.” Yoon left his presidential residence in the center of the capital Seoul in a convoy and arrived at the office of the anti-corruption agency CIO.
Investigators had previously broken into the residence, where the deposed head of state had retreated under the protection of his loyal presidential guard to avoid arrest. His guards had secured the area with barbed wire and barricades.
Scuffle before arrest
Journalists witnessed a brief scuffle at the gate of the house (see tweet above). Yoon’s followers had camped there for his protection. They chanted: “Illegal arrest warrant!” Yoon’s supporters were forcibly removed by police and CIO officials, Yonhap News TV reported. Accordingly, about thirty MPs from Yoon’s party also stood in the way of the investigators. Television footage also showed emergency services using ladders to gain access to the grounds of Yoon’s home.
As early as January 3, officers from Yoon’s presidential security service, including soldiers, prevented investigators from arresting him. They then initially gave up their plan. The new attempt to arrest Yoon is based on a new arrest warrant issued on Tuesday.
Yoon plunged South Korea into a political crisis in early December by briefly declaring martial law. He had used the measure in a budget dispute and thus raised alarms both at home and abroad. As a result, tens of thousands of people took to the streets against Yoon and for the preservation of democracy in South Korea, but Yoon’s supporters also demonstrated.
The president barricaded himself
Parliament voted in favor of impeaching the president, on which the Constitutional Court has yet to make a final decision. The trial started on Tuesday. In addition, after martial law was declared, authorities began investigating riots against the deposed head of state. However, Yoon had so far refused to speak to prosecutors and barricaded himself inside the presidential residence.
The opposition party DP celebrated the arrest of the deposed head of state. “The arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol is the first step towards restoring constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law,” group leader Park Chan Dae said at a party meeting.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
