Yoon faces multiple charges, including insurrection, following his controversial martial law declaration
Seoul, January 12: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested following a weeks-long political standoff that erupted after his surprise martial law declaration in December. Yoon, who has been accused of leading an insurrection, had been evading authorities at his fortified residence, surrounded by the Presidential Security Service team.
Escalating Political Turmoil
Earlier this morning, South Korean authorities made a second attempt to detain the embattled president at his official residence. The arrest comes after weeks of tense stand-offs and mounting political turmoil, during which Yoon refused to comply with three summonses for questioning, claiming the actions against him were unlawful.
The charges against Yoon, including leading an insurrection, are grave and could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty if proven. The court-approved detention warrant allows investigators to hold Yoon for 48 hours, with an option to apply for an extended arrest.
Martial Law Declaration Sparks Outrage
The crisis began when Yoon declared martial law on December 3 in a late-night address, accusing opposition lawmakers of paralyzing state functions and citing threats from “anti-state elements.” The order, however, was swiftly overturned by parliament just six hours later, drawing fierce criticism from the public and lawmakers across the political spectrum.
The move has revived painful memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past and led to widespread protests. Demonstrators gathered near the presidential compound, chanting slogans like “resign” and “your time is up,” while supporters countered with “invalid impeachment” and “free ROK, hurrah!”
Impeachment and Legal Proceedings
Yoon’s powers were suspended after parliament voted to impeach him over the martial law decree. The Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. Yoon’s impeachment trial began earlier this week, but proceedings have been delayed due to his non-attendance.
Adding to the chaos, parliament has also voted to impeach the prime minister and acting president, Han Duck-soo, leaving Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as the interim acting president.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Public sentiment remains deeply divided. Protesters opposing Yoon have accused him of authoritarianism, while his supporters claim the legal actions are politically motivated. Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team has denounced the detention warrant as “illegal and invalid” and vowed to challenge it in court.
As the political crisis deepens, the Constitutional Court has promised to prioritize Yoon’s case, which is expected to take up to six months.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new details emerge.
