South Korean law enforcement recently detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning subsequent to his brief martial law declaration a month ago. Yoon stated that he was cooperating with an anti-corruption investigation to prevent violence.
Yoon was quoted by Yonhap, a major news outlet in the country, as saying, “Despite it being an illegal investigation, I chose to comply with the request to appear at the CIO to avoid potential clashes.” Yoon was specifically referring to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO).
About 3,000 law enforcement officers were dispatched to Yoon’s residence, which was encircled by protesters both in favor of and against the embattled leader. Following Yoon’s detainment, officials are permitted 48 hours to obtain a warrant for his formal arrest, as reported by Yonhap.
Police officers and investigators of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials pass through the entrance to the official residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, as authorities are seeking to execute an arrest warrant, in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 15, 2025. (REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji)
Yoon is referred to as “ringleader of insurrection” in a search warrant, Reuters reported.
On Dec. 3, Yoon declared martial law, vowing to get rid of “anti-state” forces. Yoon also accused the country’s parliament of sympathizing with North Korea. The parliament’s speaker and the leader of Yoon’s own party opposed the declaration. Yoon was suspended on Dec. 14 in a 204-85 vote.
Attorneys for Yoon maintain that the probe was not legal and classified the warrants as being part of an attempt to publicly humiliate the embattled leader.
