Impeached South Korean President Yoon Arrested, says 'Complying with investigators to avoid bloodshed'

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday. This comes a month after he declared martial law in the country.

After authorities entered his home to arrest him, impeached President Yoon agreed to go to the investigators’ office to be questioned about insurrection, his lawyer said.

In a video message, Yoon said he doesn’t accept the investigation but will go to prevent “bloodshed”. He also said “the rule of law has collapsed” since he was detained.

Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours with the current warrant. Investigators will need to apply for a new warrant to extend his detention. Yoon’s presidential power was suspended after the opposition-controlled parliament impeached him on December 14 for rebellion.

His fate is now in the hands of the Constitutional Court which started deliberating on his removal or reinstatement. The court held a brief hearing on Tuesday but Yoon was absent. A new hearing is set on Thursday & the trial will proceed even if he’s absent. Impeached President Yoon was impeached in December 2024 with 204-85 votes.

This is the second time Yoon was to be detained. Over 1,000 police and anti-corruption agents were involved in a multi-day operation to detain Yoon who has been at his Seoul home for weeks.

Yoon had declared martial law to counter the “anti-state” opposition. Despite a warrant of arrest, the presidential security service had blocked earlier attempts and tensions rose as Yoon’s supporters and critics protested nearby. Yoon’s lawyers were negotiating his voluntary questioning but his arrest now shifts focus to the Constitutional Court’s deliberation on his impeachment.

On January 3, anti-corruption investigators failed to detain impeached Yoon at his home after a 6-hour standoff. The presidential security service blocked their entry, citing security reasons.

Yoon has been at his home since December 12 after he declared martial law and was impeached. A warrant of arrest was issued on Tuesday for rebellion.