South Korea's president Yoon arrested amid martial law probe
South Korean investigative services have confirmed the arrest of President Jun Suk Yeol, the first sitting leader to be detained while in office.
On Wednesday at 8:33 PM Eastern Time, South Korean investigative services executed a formal arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. A convoy of vehicles with the head of state left the presidential complex.
Yoon Suk Yeol is under investigation for declaring martial law on December 3 of the previous year. He is the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested while in office, making this situation unprecedented.
After the arrest, President Jun Suk Yeol was transported to the headquarters of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) where further investigative actions will be conducted. During the second attempt to detain Yoon, the Presidential Security Service (PSS) did not hinder our actions, a CIO official stated during a press briefing.
At the same time, the police refuted media reports about the alleged arrest of the acting head of presidential security, Kim Sung Hun.
Thousands of supporters of the president gathered outside the presidential complex in the Yongsan district, claiming that the attempt to arrest Yoon was illegal. Opponents were also present, demanding the "immediate" execution of the court's arrest warrant.
Yoon's suspension
President Yoon was suspended from his duties after declaring martial law on December 3. He revoked it six hours later, under parliamentary pressure and when Seoul residents protested against the organization of a rebellion by the head of state.
Proceedings are now underway regarding this matter, but Yoon Suk Yeol has repeatedly refused to appear for questioning. The duties of the president are temporarily being carried out by Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok.
