South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol Arrested After Declaring Martial Law
In a historic and unprecedented move, [[1]]South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol has become the first sitting president of the Republic of Korea to be arrested. The dramatic events unfolded on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, as investigators scaled barricades and cut through barbed wire to detain him at the presidential palace in central Seoul.Yoon was taken to the video was recorded due to objections from Yoon’s side.
In a pre-recorded video message released after his arrest, Yoon defended his decision to declare martial law as a ”Government process” (act of governance) to warn the Democratic Party, the main opposition group, which he accused of abusing legislative power.
South Korea’s opposition holds a majority in parliament and has been obstructing the enactment of laws by Yoon’s government,including attempts to force the government to accept a budget bill that cuts spending. Yoon also denied the legality of the CIO’s investigation, stating, “Although this is an illegal investigation, But I decided to travel to the CIO to avoid any bloodshed.”
seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer and close friend of Yoon, said the president plans to appear before the Constitutional Court to defend his impeachment case but may not attend the second hearing on Thursday due to the CIO’s ongoing interrogation.Key Points Summary
| Event | Details |
| Arrest date | January 15, 2025 |
| Location | Seoul Correctional Institution, Uiwang City |
| Interrogation Duration | Over 10 hours at the CIO |
| Charges | Treason, abuse of authority |
| Impeachment Reason | Illegal declaration of martial law |
| Constitutional Court Decision | Pending, expected to take several months |
This unfolding political crisis marks a meaningful moment in South Korea’s history, as the nation watches the fate of its first sitting president to face such legal and constitutional scrutiny.
