South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Becomes First Sitting Leader to be Arrested

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South Korean authorities have arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations of insurrection related to his brief declaration of martial law in December. This marks a historic moment, as Yoon is the first sitting president in South Korea's history to face arrest.

On January 15, 2025, Yoon was taken into custody after investigators executed an arrest warrant at his heavily secured hillside residence in Seoul. Following weeks of avoiding arrest, Yoon agreed to cooperate with investigators and left his residence to prevent potential chaos. His lawyer stated that he would appear at the Corruption Investigation Office and provide a speech.

Prior to his arrest, more than 3,000 police and anti-corruption officers gathered at his residence, clashing with supporters demanding his release. The arrest was executed around 10:33 am, following an earlier failed attempt on January 3. Yoon can now be detained for up to 48 hours under the existing warrant, after which investigators would need to seek an additional warrant for continued custody.

Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3 had shocked the nation, resulting in his impeachment by lawmakers on December 14. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to uphold this impeachment, with hearings ongoing. The political crisis has thrust South Korea into unprecedented turmoil as the nation navigates this significant moment in its democratic history.

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