South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested in unprecedented move

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday, becoming the first sitting president in the nation’s history to face detention.

Yoon, who is under investigation for insurrection, was taken into custody following allegations of imposing martial law to suppress dissent, a decision that had drawn widespread condemnation.

The dramatic arrest unfolded as more than 1,000 anti-corruption investigators and police officers descended on Yoon’s residence. Despite tight security, including three blockades around the presidential compound, law enforcement successfully executed the arrest warrant after hours of strategic maneuvering. The operation concluded without incident, marking a significant escalation in the country’s political turmoil since Yoon’s impeachment.

This was not the first attempt to detain the embattled leader. On January 3, an earlier effort by law enforcement was thwarted by the Presidential Security Service (PSS) in a tense standoff outside the presidential residence. The operation was ultimately called off due to safety concerns, but the arrest warrant remained valid, leading to Wednesday’s coordinated operation.

Yoon’s arrest stems from his imposition of martial law on December 3, a move intended to quell unrest but widely criticised as an overreach of presidential authority. The declaration of martial law lasted only a few hours before being overturned by parliament in an extraordinary vote.

Opposition parties seized the opportunity to launch an impeachment motion against Yoon. While an initial attempt failed, a subsequent effort succeeded, resulting in his impeachment.

The Constitutional Court of South Korea is now deliberating on Yoon’s fate, weighing whether to reinstate him with full presidential powers or permanently remove him from office. Meanwhile, Yoon faces charges of insurrection linked to his martial law declaration, with a court-issued arrest warrant marking the start of his legal battle.

In a pre-recorded message released by his aides, Yoon criticised the investigation as illegitimate, stating, “Today, when I saw them invading the security perimeter with fire equipment, I decided to appear before the CIO, even though it is an illegal investigation.”

The arrest of a sitting president has plunged South Korea into uncharted political waters, leaving the nation deeply divided. While critics view Yoon’s detention as a necessary step toward accountability, his supporters argue that it represents an unprecedented breach of executive privilege.