Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested Following Failed Martial Law Attempt

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday over charges of insurrection tied to his failed attempt to impose martial law last month. The arrest marks the first time a South Korean president has been detained in the country’s history.

Yoon, who led the conservative People Power Party (PPP) to victory in the 2022 elections, faces severe charges that could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The former prosecutor and head of state had resisted arrest for weeks, remaining holed up in his residence under the protection of loyal members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS).

Authorities had previously attempted to detain Yoon on January 3, but the effort was thwarted by the fortified defenses around his residence, which included barbed wire and barricades. Opposition parties had criticized the compound, likening it to a “fortress” and accusing Yoon of using extreme measures to evade justice.

The successful operation to arrest Yoon began before dawn on Wednesday when hundreds of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office surrounded the compound. Officers scaled walls and navigated back trails to reach the main building, leading to a tense five-hour standoff.

In a pre-recorded video message released after his arrest, Yoon stated, “I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office… to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed.” He maintained his opposition to the legality of the investigation but expressed a willingness to cooperate to avoid further conflict.

Yoon was transported in a police convoy to the Corruption Investigation Office, where questioning commenced soon after his arrival.

The charges stem from Yoon’s short-lived bid to impose martial law last month, a move widely condemned domestically and internationally. Critics have argued that the attempt represented a severe overreach of executive power and threatened the democratic framework of South Korea.

The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for South Korean politics, as the nation grapples with the fallout of the unprecedented arrest and trial of a former head of state.