South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested Over Failed Martial Law Bid; Becomes 1st Sitting Prez To Be Held

South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday over allegations of insurrection tied to his December 3 martial law declaration, investigators confirmed as per reports. The move marks a major development in South Korea’s ongoing political turmoil.

Over 3,000 Cops Reach To Arrest Yoon

A motorcade was seen departing from Yoon's hillside residence, where he had been barricaded for weeks behind barbed wire and a heavy security detail. Earlier, over 3,000 police officers and anti-corruption investigators converged on the residence before dawn, forcing their way through crowds of Yoon supporters and ruling People Power Party members who were protesting his detention, as reported by Reuters.

1st Sitting President To Be Arrested

Yoon’s legal team has strongly opposed his arrest, calling it illegal and a deliberate attempt to humiliate him publicly. The arrest warrant secured by investigators is historic, as it is the first issued against a sitting South Korean president.

The tension around Yoon’s detention was palpable. As local broadcasters reported that his arrest was imminent, minor clashes erupted between tearful pro-Yoon demonstrators and police near the residence, according to eyewitness accounts. Protesters expressed their anger and frustration, further fueling the political unrest that has gripped the nation.

Yoon’s December 3 declaration of martial law sent shockwaves through South Korea, a country renowned for its vibrant democracy. The unexpected move led to widespread condemnation and plunged the nation into an unprecedented political crisis. On December 14, South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach Yoon, effectively suspending him from his presidential duties.

In the wake of his impeachment, the Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to uphold the decision, which would permanently remove Yoon from office. This legal process is being closely watched by the public, as it will determine the country’s political trajectory in the coming months.