South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested for questioning on Wednesday, January 15, marking an unprecedented move by the country’s anti-corruption agency against a sitting president. This development follows a weeks-long political crisis triggered by Yoon’s surprise martial law declaration last month.
Yoon was taken into custody at his residence in a motorcade, escorted by investigators. He faces multiple criminal probes, including allegations of leading an insurrection—a charge that carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The president has reportedly refused to answer investigators’ questions or allow the sessions to be recorded, according to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO). He is expected to be held overnight in solitary confinement at a detention center for safety reasons.
Yoon had remained in his fortified residence for weeks, surrounded by his Presidential Security Service, as he evaded arrest amid mounting investigations and an impeachment trial. Earlier attempts to detain him were thwarted by a tense standoff between soldiers, presidential security, and investigators.
In a video statement released after his arrest, Yoon dismissed the investigations as “illegal” and accused authorities of undermining the rule of law. He claimed his cooperation was an effort to avoid violent clashes, stating, “As a president who must protect the constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, responding to these illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment of them, but in the hopes of preventing unsavory bloodshed.”
The warrant allows investigators to detain Yoon for up to 48 hours, until Friday morning, after which they must seek an arrest warrant to extend his detention.
Scenes outside Yoon’s residence during the arrest showed groups of both supporters and opponents gathered despite the cold weather. Protesters chanted slogans like “resign,” “your time is up,” and “take responsibility,” while Yoon’s supporters shouted “invalid impeachment,” “free ROK, hurrah!” and “we won!”
Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, sparked widespread outrage. He claimed the measure was necessary to counter “anti-state elements” and protect South Korea’s liberal democracy, accusing opposition lawmakers of paralyzing state affairs. However, the National Assembly swiftly reversed the declaration, including members of Yoon’s own party.
The president’s lawyers have denounced the detention warrant as “illegal and invalid,” pledging to pursue legal action against it. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to formally remove Yoon from office following his impeachment by parliament last month.
