Seoul, South Korea — In a historic turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested at his presidential residence on Wednesday morning, becoming the country’s first sitting president to be detained over the imposition of martial law.
The arrest occurred at 10:33 a.m. local time (0133 GMT) by a joint investigation unit composed of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the National Office of Investigation (NOI), and the defense ministry’s investigative headquarters. The investigative team released a brief statement confirming the unprecedented action but provided limited details.
Television footage showed vehicles transporting the arrested president departing from the Blue House, located in central Seoul. President Yoon was taken to the CIO office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, for questioning before being detained at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, approximately 5 kilometers from the CIO office.
The CIO now has 48 hours to decide whether to seek a separate warrant to detain President Yoon for up to 20 days for further investigation or to release him. This decision will be closely watched as it could have significant implications for the nation’s political stability.
The arrest stems from President Yoon’s short-lived imposition of martial law, a move that has sparked widespread debate and concern over its legality and impact on democratic institutions. Critics argue that the action was an overreach of executive power, while supporters insist it was necessary for national security.
This event marks a pivotal moment in the Republic of Korea’s modern history, highlighting the nation’s commitment to legal accountability at the highest levels of government. Citizens and international observers are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds, anticipating the potential repercussions on the country’s governance and international relations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
