Date Published: January 22, 2025
Time Published: 4:32 PM
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained, following his impeachment over a controversial martial law attempt in December 2024, at his residence on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Critics condemned Yoon’s declaration of martial law, justified as a measure against alleged North Korean influence, as unconstitutional and led to nationwide protests.
The Constitutional Court was scheduled to hold its first formal impeachment hearing on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, but the session was adjourned just after five minutes due to Yoon's refusal to attend.
Yoon remained barricaded at his residence, behind barbed wires and a small army of personal guards who impeded an earlier arrest attempt.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, around 3,000 police officers were dispatched to arrest Yoon, who eventually complied and surrendered for questioning at the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO).
Yoon stated, “I am truly appalled to see illegalities upon illegalities being carried out and procedures being forcefully conducted under an invalid warrant. I do not acknowledge the investigation by the CIO for High-Ranking Officials.
"As the president, my decision to comply with such illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment of them, but rather a willingness to prevent unfortunate and bloody incidents," he added.
Prosecutors are set to investigate Yoon’s actions leading up to the martial law declaration attempt, including alleged power abuse and potential insurrection.
Opposition leaders have called for a quick and transparent investigation to restore public trust in the government.
The leader of a rebellion in South Korea could face the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted, as mandated by law.
Park Sung-bae, an attorney specializing in criminal law, commented on the potential legal consequences for Yoon, “If the first court hands down a prison sentence, the detention simply continues. If they sentence him to life imprisonment, for example, he continues serving that sentence straight through.”
Yoon's supporters claimed that the impeachment was politically motivated and have staged counter-protests in Seoul, calling for his reinstatement.
This abrupt crisis is expected to have significant impact on South Korea’s political structure, with snap elections likely to transpire in the upcoming months to resolve the political deadlock.
REFERENCES:
[1] Campbell, C. (2025, January 15). South Korea Finally Arrests Impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol for Insurrection. Time. https://time.com/7207016/south-korea-arrests-impeached-president-yoon-suk-yeol-martial-law-insurrection/
[2] GMA News Online. (2025, January 15). South Korean investigators arrest impeached President Yoon. GMA Network. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/932923/south-korean-investigators-arrest-impeached-president-yoon/story/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH1evxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHREBDndvxDR7PAeaOuNsRYkyrfPJmaGIpmmUoRztvJSAIVPvXLvrA-9aNg_aem_4Vejy4uttDizzB9Adi0YMw
[3] Yim, H., & Park, J.-m. (2025, January 15). South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-authorities-president-yoons-residence-execute-arrest-warrant-yonhap-2025-01-14/
[4] Kim, T.-H. (2025, January 15). South Korean authorities take impeached President Yoon to detention center after questioning. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-martial-law-detain-8dd7f03661be39729741de9a3b5d1714
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