South Korean President Yoon arrested over failed martial law bid

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SEOUL: South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Seok-yul was arrested on Wednesday over his failed martial law bid as hundreds of anti-graft investigators and police raided his residence to end a week-long standoff. hit

Yun, who is facing treason charges over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law last month, is the first sitting president in the country’s history to be arrested.

Yun, a former prosecutor who led the conservative People’s Power Party to election in 2022, could face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted of coup.

He had tried to avoid arrest for weeks by staying in his residential compound, protected by members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) who remained loyal to him.

Yun’s guards had erected barbed wire and barricades around the residence, making it what the opposition called a “fortress”. The first attempt on January 3 failed after hours of tension between security guards working with police and anti-corruption investigators.

Yun vowed to “fight to the end” soon after.

But before dawn Wednesday, hundreds of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office again surrounded the residence, scaling some walls and climbing back trails to reach the main building.

After a few more hours of standoff, authorities announced that Yoon had been arrested and the impeachment ringleader released a pre-recorded video message.

“I decided to respond to the corruption investigation office,” Yoon said in the message, adding that he did not accept the legality of the investigation but was complying “to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed.” .

Yun left his residence in a convoy and was taken to the offices of the Corruption Investigation Office. AFP reporters earlier witnessed brief clashes at the gate of the residence, where Yun’s hardline supporters camped out to protect him, as authorities first moved into the compound.

Lawmakers from the People’s Power Party also rushed to the area, apparently to defend him, AFP reporters saw.

His supporters were heard chanting “illegal warrants”. Glow sticks and waving South Korean and American flags were laid on the ground outside the main gate of the residential complex.

According to Yonhap News TV, police and CIO officers began to forcibly remove them from the residence gate while about 30 lawmakers from Yonhap’s ruling People’s Power Party also blocked the investigators.

Due to the tense situation, police decided on Wednesday not to carry firearms for the new attempt, but only to wear bulletproof vests in case they were met by armed guards, local media reported.

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Yoon shocked the nation late on December 3 when he declared martial law, claiming it was to protect South Korea “from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements”. Need

He stationed troops in Parliament, but lawmakers opposed him and voted against martial law. Yun revoked martial law after only six hours.

Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours after his arrest. Investigators will need to apply for another arrest warrant to keep him in custody.

Yoon’s legal team has repeatedly called the warrant illegal.

In a parallel investigation, the Constitutional Court on Tuesday opened a trial to rule on Yun’s impeachment by parliament.

If the court upholds the impeachment, Yun would ultimately lose the presidency and new elections would have to be held within 60 days.

The trial was adjourned on Tuesday after only a brief hearing because Yoon declined to attend. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, though the proceedings could drag on for months.

South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party celebrated Yoon’s detention.

“The arrest of Yoon Suk-yeol is the first step towards restoring constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law,” floor leader Park Chun-dae told the party at a meeting.

“Although there is a delay, it is truly fortunate that public authority and justice are still alive in South Korea,” the politician added.