SEOUL, South Korea — In a significant law enforcement action, South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody at the presidential residence on Wednesday. He expressed his belief that the anti-corruption agency lacked the jurisdiction to investigate him but chose to cooperate in order to avoid potential violence. In a video message filmed prior to his arrest, Yoon declared that the nation’s rule of law had “completely collapsed.”
Yoon made history as the first president to be detained while in office. In the weeks leading up to his arrest, he had remained isolated at his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, pledging to “fight to the end” against attempts to remove him from power. He defended his earlier declaration of martial law on December 3, arguing it was a legitimate response to what he deemed an “anti-state” opposition leveraging their legislative majority to undermine his administration.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials reported that officers took Yoon into custody approximately five hours after arriving at the compound. They had to make a second attempt after facing resistance during their initial efforts to enter his residence. Images captured showed a fleet of black SUVs leaving the compound, some with sirens, as Yoon was then seen arriving at the agency’s office in the nearby Gwacheon area. Following interrogation, he is expected to be moved to a detention facility in Uiwang, close to Seoul.
Moving forward, Yoon could be held for several weeks. The anti-corruption agency, which is collaborating with law enforcement and military officials to determine if Yoon’s martial law declaration constituted an attempted rebellion, has a 48-hour window to seek a formal arrest warrant. Failure to do so will result in Yoon’s release. Should they successfully secure an arrest warrant, the investigation can extend his detention up to 20 days before the case is forwarded to public prosecutors for possible indictment.
Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended following impeachment proceedings initiated by parliament on December 14. The outcome of this impeachment now lies with the Constitutional Court, which could either confirm Yoon’s removal from office or reinstate him by dismissing the case.
The operation to detain Yoon commenced early in the morning and included an extended standoff between investigators and his security personnel at the entrance of the compound. The presidential security forces initially resisted but did not mount a significant defense beyond barricades set at the compound’s gate. Some officers even utilized ladders to navigate over buses placed by security personnel to gain access.
Inside the compound, investigators eventually reached a metal barrier embellished with a gold presidential emblem located near Yoon’s residence. They were joined by a member of his legal team and his chief of staff as they proceeded. A presidential security service later moved to clear away the vehicles that had been used as a blockade in front of the gate. Despite possessing a court-issued warrant for Yoon’s arrest, the security forces insisted on their obligation to protect him, reinforcing the compound with makeshift barriers including barbed wire and buses.
South Korea’s acting leader, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, addressed the situation urging all parties involved to avoid any physical altercations. Park Chan-dae, the leader of the Democratic Party that spearheaded Yoon’s impeachment, hailed the president’s detainment as a pivotal step toward reestablishing constitutional order and reinforcing the rule of law.
As law enforcement sought to execute their warrant, lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party protested nearby, labeling the detention efforts as unlawful. In recent days, the National Police Agency conducted briefings with local commanders to organize detention preparations, with some speculation that over a thousand officers might be deployed. Warnings were issued indicating that any obstruction from the presidential security team could result in arrests.
Yoon’s legal representation declared the detainment warrant invalid, stating that it conflicts with a law aimed at protecting locations associated with military secrets from searches without permission from the overseeing authority—i.e., Yoon himself. They also claimed that the anti-corruption agency lacks legal jurisdiction to probe alleged rebellion matters. “I am appalled by the continuous illegal actions and improper proceedings being forced upon us under an invalid warrant,” Yoon asserted in the video released before his apprehension, emphasizing that his compliance was a preventive measure rather than an acknowledgment of the authority of the anti-corruption agency.
In the wake of Yoon’s imprisonment, opposing protests have emerged near his residence, with supporters rallying to defend him while detractors demand accountability and his imprisonment. Tensions were further heightened as police officers monitored the unfolding situation closely, maintaining order.
Yoon had previously declared martial law and mobilized troops around the National Assembly on December 3, a measure that lasted only hours as lawmakers managed to overcome the blockade and voted to rescind it. Consequently, the opposition-led assembly impeached him on charges of rebellion on December 14. The Constitutional Court conducted its initial hearing on the impeachment case on Tuesday, which lasted under five minutes due to Yoon’s absence. Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday, and proceedings will continue irrespective of his attendance.
The White House National Security Council expressed its support for the people of South Korea and reaffirmed its dedication to the principles of lawful governance. It also emphasized a commitment to collaborating with the government under the guidance of the acting leader, Choi.
