SEOUL, South Korea — In a dramatic law enforcement operation at the presidential complex, impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was taken into custody on Wednesday, firmly contending that the anti-corruption agency lacked the authority to investigate him, though he cooperated to prevent potential violence.
In a video message prior to his detention at the anti-corruption agency’s headquarters, Yoon expressed deep concern over the state of the rule of law in South Korea, stating it has deteriorated significantly.
Yoon, marked as the first sitting president in South Korea to be arrested, had remained in his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, for several weeks, vowing to resist efforts to remove him from office. He defended his decision to declare martial law on December 3 as a necessary measure against what he referred to as an “anti-state” opposition exploiting its legislative power to hinder his policies.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials reported that Yoon was detained approximately five hours after investigators arrived at his residence and three hours after gaining access to it during their second attempt to apprehend him in connection with his martial law declaration.
A convoy of black SUVs, some equipped with sirens, left the presidential grounds under police escort. Once at the agency’s office in Gwacheon, Yoon was seen exiting a vehicle. Following an initial round of questioning, he was anticipated to be transferred to a detention facility in Uiwang, near Seoul.
Moving forward, Yoon may find himself in custody for several weeks. The anti-corruption agency, which is conducting a joint investigation with military and police regarding the legality of Yoon’s martial law declaration, has a time frame of 48 hours to seek a court authorization for a formal arrest on rebellion charges. If they fail to do so, Yoon would be released. However, if a formal arrest is made, investigators could hold him for up to 20 days before the case moves to public prosecutors for possible indictment.
Yoon’s powers as president have been curtailed since his impeachment by parliament on December 14. The matter is currently with the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to formally remove him from office or not.
On the morning of the detention operation, law enforcement officials faced a prolonged standoff at the presidential compound’s gates with security personnel protecting Yoon, although they did not meet significant resistance otherwise. Investigators were seen using ladders to bypass buses that had been placed as barricades.
In front of a metal gate with a gold presidential emblem near Yoon’s residence, investigators moved forward with the operation. Some officers entered through a side door alongside one of Yoon’s lawyers and his chief aide. Security personnel later repositioned vehicles that were blocking pathways in an effort to facilitate the operation.
In response to the tense atmosphere, South Korea’s acting leader, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, urged law enforcement and the presidential security staff to avoid any physical confrontations during the detainment operation.
Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party—an opposition faction that significantly contributed to Yoon’s impeachment—hailed Yoon’s arrest as a crucial step towards reinstating constitutional governance and the rule of law in the country.
As law enforcement personnel moved through the presidential grounds, supporters of Yoon rallied in the vicinity, protesting against the legality of the detainment efforts. In the preceding days, the National Police Agency and commanders from Seoul and Gyeonggi province strategized for the operation, with predictions of over a thousand officers possibly being deployed. Authorities emphasized that security personnel impeding the execution of the arrest warrant could face arrest themselves.
Yoon’s legal team has argued that the warrant issued for his detainment was not valid, citing protections over potential military secrets and questioning the authority of the anti-corruption agency to probe rebellion claims. Yoon expressed his discontent in the video just before his arrest, criticizing the procedures as unlawful and indicating that his compliance was a measure to avert conflict, not an acceptance of the claims against him.
In the backdrop of this tension, opposing protests emerged near Yoon’s residence, with factions divided—one group advocating for his defense, and the other demanding his imprisonment, all under the watchful eye of numerous police officers.
The events leading to Yoon’s current situation stemmed from his declaration of martial law and deployment of troops around the National Assembly on December 3, which lasted only hours before lawmakers overturned it. Shortly after, his impeachment took place on December 14 on charges of rebellion.
The Constitutional Court held its initial hearing regarding the impeachment on Tuesday, which was brief due to Yoon’s absence. A subsequent hearing is scheduled for Thursday, and proceedings will continue regardless of his participation.
The National Security Council of the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Korean people and the rule of law, expressing readiness to collaborate with the government led by acting leader Choi while also reinforcing the strength of the alliance between the two nations.
