Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyers said the deposed leader voluntarily surrendered for questioning after several failed attempts to arrest him.
South Korean authorities have detained President Yeon Suk-yeol for questioning over his brief declaration of martial law last month, Yonhap reported.
A warrant for Yoon’s arrest was executed shortly after 10:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, the news agency reported, citing the Senior Officials’ Corruption Investigation Office (CIO).
On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from… “anti-state” Troops. This controversial move was quickly overturned and led to his impeachment by the National Assembly on 14 December, by 204 votes to 85. The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to permanently remove him from office, a decision that must be made within 180 days.
After his impeachment, Yoon locked himself in the presidential residence in Seoul, prompting authorities to make multiple attempts to detain him for questioning.
The presidential security service thwarted an initial attempt on January 3, leading to a tense standoff. Yoon’s supporters actively protested his arrest. Clashes between them and law enforcement forces caused casualties, raising concerns about the potential for violence if force was used to detain the president.
In the second attempt on January 15, police units surrounded the presidential complex at dawn and set up roadblocks to prevent supporters from interfering. After hours of negotiations, Yoon’s lawyers confirmed that he agreed to surrender voluntarily to avoid further escalation. He was detained without resistance, but tensions remain high amid fears of renewed protests.
In defense of his actions, Yoon stated that his declaration of martial law was a legitimate step to protect the nation. In a statement to his supporters issued on January 1, he pledged this “Fight alongside you until the end to protect this nation.”
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