South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol arrested: first case in the country’s modern history

Yoon Suk-yeol, who was arrested at his presidential residence, is charged with impeachment over martial law declared last month. He is now in a detention centre in Seoul

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested at 10:33 local time (1:33 GMT) inside his presidential residence, marking an unprecedented event in South Korea’s modern history. Television footage showed the arrival of a black vehicle carrying Yoon at the Corruption Investigation Office (Cio) office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. Subsequently, Yoon was transferred to the Seoul detention centre, located in Uiwang, just 5 kilometres from the Cio office.

The authorities now have 48 hours to decide whether to apply for a separate warrant to detain the president for up to 20 days, allowing for further interrogation, or to release him. This makes Yoon the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested.

Yoon Suk-yeol is facing impeachment charges and is at the centre of an investigation related to his controversial declaration of martial law last month. Investigators have disclosed that the president is currently exercising his right not to answer questions during interrogations.

Shortly before his arrest, Yoon released a video message addressed to the nation, explaining his reasons for voluntarily appearing before the ICJ. ‘I agreed to appear before the IOC, despite the fact that this is an illegal investigation, to avoid any bloodshed,’ he said, emphasising the delicacy of the situation.

Now, the country is closely following the developments of an unprecedented political crisis, while the president’s fate remains in the balance.

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