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Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested Over Martial Law Order

South Korea witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday as police detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his home in Seoul. This comes weeks after authorities first tried to arrest him for declaring martial law in December, a controversial decision that lasted only briefly.

Prosecutors from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) arrived at Yoon’s residence early Wednesday morning. Kim Baek-ki, the CIO’s spokesperson, confirmed that the arrest warrant was executed at 10:33 a.m. local time. Yoon, escorted by his presidential security vehicle, was taken to the CIO for questioning.

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In a pre-recorded message to the nation, Yoon criticized the legal process, claiming that the justice system had “completely collapsed.” He alleged that warrants were being issued by authorities without proper investigative or judicial oversight and accused officials of fabricating documents to mislead the public. Despite his strong objections, Yoon said he would cooperate to avoid violence, stating, “I am presenting myself to the authorities not to legitimize their investigation but to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.”

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This isn’t the first time authorities attempted to arrest Yoon. Earlier in January, prosecutors arrived at his property, leading to a tense standoff involving 3,000 police officers, his security team, and thousands of protesters. That effort ended without an arrest.

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The arrest stems from Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3. In a televised address, he argued the drastic measure was needed to counter the Democratic Party, which he accused of undermining the government and siding with North Korea. The move sparked widespread outrage and ultimately led to his suspension from office on December 14.

Under South Korean law, a sitting president accused of insurrection can be detained. Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant after Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning. The court approved the warrant on December 31, marking an unprecedented moment in the country’s history.

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This arrest adds another chapter to South Korea’s turbulent political landscape, leaving the nation divided over the actions and legacy of its now-detained former leader.

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