SEOUL — Investigators detained impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence this morning and will question him over his short-lived imposition of martial law.
A warrant to detain Yoon was executed at 10.33 am, Yonhap news agency reported, according to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
Live TV footage showed a convoy of vehicles presumably carrying Yoon leaving the presidential residence compound in central Seoul to head to the CIO office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.
Yoon, who is suspended from duty following his impeachment by the National Assembly on Dec 14, faces charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
He is accused of sending troops to the National Assembly after declaring martial law on the night of Dec 3 to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.
Yoon is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, near the CIO’s office, following questioning.
His arrest today ends a tense standoff since the CIO’s first attempt to detain him on Jan 3 but were blocked by a military unit serving as Yoon’s presidential security team.
His arrest today was hailed by South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, with leader Park Chan Dae calling it the “first step” in restoring the country’s constitutional order and democracy.
Park also called Yoon a “serious criminal,” accusing him of violating the constitution and the law through his martial law declaration on Dec 3. – January 15, 2025