South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol arrested amid turmoil
South Korean investigative services have confirmed the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking the first time a sitting leader has been detained while in office.
On Wednesday at 2:33 AM Greenwich Mean Time, South Korean investigative services executed a formal arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol. A convoy of cars with the head of state departed the presidential complex.
Yoon Suk Yeol is under investigation for declaring martial law on 3 December of the previous year. He is the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested while in office, making this situation unprecedented.
Following the arrest, President Yoon Suk Yeol is being transported to the headquarters of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) where further investigative actions will be conducted. During the second attempt to detain Yoon, the Presidential Security Service (PSS) did not hinder actions, a CIO official stated during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, the police have denied media reports concerning the alleged arrest of the acting head of presidential security, Kim Sung Hoon.
Thousands of the president's supporters gathered outside the presidential complex in the Yongsan district, insisting that the arrest attempt is illegal. Opponents were also present, demanding the "immediate" execution of the court's arrest warrant.
Yoon's suspension
President Yoon was suspended from his duties after declaring martial law on 3 December. He revoked it six hours later, under parliamentary pressure and in response to protests from Seoul residents against what was perceived as an attempt to organise a rebellion by the head of state.
Proceedings are now underway in this matter, but Yoon Suk Yeol has repeatedly refused to appear for questioning. The duties of the president are being temporarily carried out by Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok.
