Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained by law enforcement authorities from his official residence in Seoul early Wednesday—becoming the first ever sitting president to be taken into police custody—as he faced questioning on insurrection charges stemming from his failed attempt to impose martial law in the country in December.
South Korean impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at the complex building housing the ... [+]
South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) told national news outlets that a joint probe team successfully detained Yoon at 10:33 a.m. local time.
Thousands of law enforcement officials were deployed to carry out the arrest and according to the Korea Herald, they had to get through at least three sets of barricades set up by the Presidential bodyguards, who had prevented an earlier attempt to arrest Yoon.
Ahead of Wednesday’s arrest, the presidential guards had been warned that attempts to obstruct the police and investigators could lead to their arrest.
In a video message to his supporters, Yoon said he had chosen to appear before the investigators for questioning to prevent any “bloodshed” between police and the presidential guards.
In his message, Yoon continued to dismiss the investigation into him as “illegal” and said the warrant issued against him was “invalid.”
According to Reuters, the warrant used to search Yoon’s premises described the impeached president as the “ringleader of insurrection.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
In his video message, Yoon said: “The rule of law has completely collapsed in this country…Although I am facing these disadvantages, I sincerely hope that no citizen will ever have to endure such injustices when dealing with criminal cases in the future.” He added: “As the president, who is responsible for upholding the constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, 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.”
This is a developing story.