South Korean authorities have detained President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning on charges of leading an insurrection over his brief imposition of martial law last month.
According to reports, a warrant to detain Yoon was executed shortly after 10:30am local time on Wednesday, citing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
“To prevent an unfortunate and violent incident, I decided to appear before the CIO even though I believe the investigation is illegal,” Yoon said in a video message recorded at his residence in central Seoul.
“The rule of law has completely collapsed in this country,” he added as quoted by RT.
On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from “anti-state” forces. The highly controversial move was swiftly overruled and led to his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14, with a vote of 204-85.
The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating on whether to permanently remove him from office, a decision that must be made within 180 days.
Following his impeachment, Yoon confined himself to the presidential residence in Seoul, prompting multiple attempts by authorities to detain him for questioning.
An initial attempt on January 3 was thwarted by the Presidential Security Service, resulting in a standoff. Yoon’s supporters have protested against his detention.
Clashes between them and law enforcement have caused injuries, raising concerns of potential violence if force is used to detain the president.
In the second attempt on January 15, police units surrounded the presidential compound at dawn and set up roadblocks to prevent supporters from interfering.
After hours of negotiations, Yoon’s lawyers confirmed that he had agreed to voluntarily surrender to avoid further escalation. He was taken into custody without resistance, but tensions remain high amid fears of renewed protests.
Defending his actions, Yoon stated that his declaration of martial law was a legitimate move to protect the nation.
In a statement to his supporters on January 1, he vowed to “fight alongside you to the very end to protect this nation.”