South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol arrested in historic first
South Korean investigative services have confirmed the arrest of President Jun Suk Yeol, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first sitting leader to be detained while in office.
On Wednesday at 10:33 AM local time (8:33 PM Eastern Time), South Korean investigative services executed a formal arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. A motorcade left the presidential complex with the head of state in custody.
Yoon Suk Yeol is under investigation for declaring martial law on December 3 of the previous year. His arrest is unprecedented, as he is the first sitting president of South Korea to face such a situation.
Following the arrest, President Yoon Suk Yeol is being transported to the headquarters of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) where further investigative actions will occur. During the second attempt to detain Yoon, the Presidential Security Service (PSS) did not obstruct the proceedings, a CIO official stated at a press briefing.
Meanwhile, the police denied media reports alleging the arrest of Kim Sung Hun, the acting head of presidential security.
Thousands of the president's supporters gathered outside the presidential complex in the Yongsan district, claiming that the attempt to arrest Jun was illegal. Opponents were also present, demanding the "immediate" execution of the court's arrest warrant.
Yoon's suspension
President Yoon was suspended from his duties after declaring martial law on December 3. He revoked it six hours later under parliamentary pressure, as residents of Seoul took to the streets to protest what they saw as a rebellion organized by the head of state.
Proceedings are now underway, but Yoon Suk Yeol has repeatedly refused to appear for questioning. The duties of the president are currently being carried out by Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok on a temporary basis.
