15-1-2025 (SEOUL) Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody Wednesday following a tense standoff at his residence, marking the first-ever arrest of a South Korean head of state.
The detention, which occurred after a failed attempt earlier this month, saw investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) successfully execute an arrest warrant at approximately 10:33 AM local time. The former president was subsequently transported to the CIO headquarters in Gwacheon for questioning.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that Yoon, who faces serious charges of insurrection and abuse of power, participated in a two-and-a-half-hour morning interrogation session. The questioning, led by CIO Deputy Chief Lee Jae-seung, proceeded without video recording at the former president’s request.
The charges stem from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on 3 December and his subsequent deployment of troops to the National Assembly—actions that ultimately led to his impeachment by parliament on 14 December. Investigators now have a 48-hour window to secure a formal arrest warrant.
In a defiant video message released post-arrest, Yoon maintained his stance that the martial law declaration was a legitimate “act of governance” intended to check what he termed the opposition Democratic Party’s “abuse of legislative power”. He characterised the investigation as “illegal” but stated he agreed to appear “to prevent ugly bloodshed”.
The arrest operation involved significant police presence, with approximately 3,000 officers deployed to secure the compound. Investigators reportedly used ladders to gain entry after encountering resistance from the Presidential Security Service, which had created vehicle barricades near the entrance.
The historic detention has polarised the nation, with thousands of supporters and opponents gathering outside the presidential compound. Tensions peaked when news of the arrest broke, with pro-Yoon protesters directing their anger at both anti-Yoon demonstrators and the investigating authority.
The Seoul Western District Court had previously issued search and detention warrants after Yoon refused three summonses for questioning. The former president is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang following the interrogation process.
