Impeached South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested on Wednesday, January 14, 2025, following his controversial attempt to impose martial law last month. This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that a president has been detained while facing charges of insurrection.
Yoon, 64, who served as a prosecutor before leading the conservative People Power Party to victory in the 2022 elections, faces potential penalties including life imprisonment or the death sentence if convicted. The charges stem from his December 3 declaration of martial law, which he justified as a measure to “safeguard the nation from North Korea’s threats and anti-state elements.” However, the martial law was revoked just six hours later after being overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers.
For weeks, Yoon resisted arrest, remaining in his residence in New Karshi, shielded by loyal members of the Presidential Security Service. The compound was fortified with barbed wire and barricades, earning it the nickname “the fortress.” A previous arrest attempt on January 3 ended in a standoff between police and Yoon’s security detail.
Before dawn on Wednesday, hundreds of officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) surrounded the residence. They scaled walls and navigated back trails to breach the compound, leading to a five-hour standoff. Ultimately, Yoon surrendered and released a pre-recorded video statement in which he condemned the investigation as illegal but claimed he complied to avoid “unfortunate bloodshed.”
Yoon was transported to the CIO headquarters, where questioning commenced immediately. Supporters gathered outside the residence during the arrest, chanting “illegal warrant!” and waving South Korean and American flags. Despite protests from his legal team and party officials, who described the arrest as unjust, the opposition celebrated the move as a restoration of constitutional order.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Constitutional Court is set to continue hearings on Yoon’s impeachment on Thursday, which could result in his permanent removal from office and trigger fresh elections within 60 days.
