Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested for Questioning Over Martial Law Decree

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested for questioning by the country’s anti-corruption agency, marking a dramatic escalation in a political saga that began with his controversial martial law declaration last month.

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Yoon, who has faced mounting pressure and multiple investigations over his actions, was taken into custody on Wednesday, January 15.

This arrest, which occurred at the presidential palace, is unprecedented in South Korea’s history, as it is the first time a sitting president has been detained for questioning.

Yoon was escorted by investigators in a motorcade from his residence, and authorities are now probing his involvement in multiple criminal investigations stemming from his martial law decree.

Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, sent shockwaves through the nation.

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The president cited opposition lawmakers paralyzing state affairs and justified the declaration as necessary to protect South Korea from “anti-state elements.”

However, the move sparked widespread backlash, even among members of his own political party, and was quickly reversed by the National Assembly.

Since the declaration, Yoon has been holed up in his fortified residence, evading arrest in an intense standoff that involved soldiers and presidential security personnel blocking investigators and police from accessing the compound.

Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested for Questioning Over Martial Law Decree

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The showdown was a clear indication of the president’s determination to resist the legal challenges surrounding his rule.

Following his arrest, Yoon appeared in a video message, dismissing the ongoing investigations as “illegal” and claiming that the country’s rule of law has “completely collapsed.”

He stated that his cooperation with investigators was aimed at preventing violent clashes and said he did not acknowledge the procedures, which he deemed invalid.

Yoon faces accusations of insurrection, a charge that could carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

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His lawyers have called the detention warrant illegal, and they are preparing to challenge it in court.

As tensions mount, South Korea is now waiting for the Constitutional Court to decide whether Yoon will be permanently removed from office or reinstated.

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