South Korean police detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday native time, ABC Information confirmed.
The detention comes weeks after investigators first tried to arrest the embattled politician over his short-lived declaration of martial legislation in December.
Prosecutors from South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Workplace for Excessive-ranking Officers entered Yoon’s residence, spokesperson Kim Baek-ki instructed reporters. The warrant was formally executed at 10:33 a.m.
After, Yoon traveled to the Corruption Investigation Workplace for questioning in his personal presidential safety car.
Law enforcement officials patrol close to the residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Jan. 15, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
In a pre-recorded video message to the nation, Yoon addressed the newest try and detain him.
“Sadly, the legislation has fully collapsed on this nation. Seeing warrants being issued by businesses that would not have investigative authority, and courts with out warrant evaluate authority issuing arrest warrants and search and seizure warrants, investigative businesses issuing false official paperwork to deceive the folks, committing such unlawful acts, and continuing with procedures based mostly on invalid warrants, I can not assist however really feel regretful,” he stated.
Yoon stated he’s presenting himself to the CIO, however it’s not an endorsement of their unlawful investigation, however “an effort to stop pointless bloodshed as they tried to enter my residence utilizing pressure.”
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s supporters scuffle with cops as authorities search to execute an arrest warrant, in Seoul, Jan. 15, 2025.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Throughout an try by anti-corruption authorities to enter the property earlier this month, a standoff ensued between Yoon’s safety crew and police investigators.
There have been a complete of three,000 cops on the scene and hundreds of protesters making an attempt to dam the arrest, which was ultimately known as off.
Law enforcement officials and investigators depart the residence of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Jan. 15, 2025.
Anthony Wallace/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The efforts to detain Yoon got here after a South Korean court docket issued an arrest and search warrant on Dec. 31 over his short-lived imposition of martial legislation, ABC Information confirmed on the time. Yoon has been suspended from his place since Dec. 14.
The previous president declared martial legislation in a televised speech on Dec. 3, saying the measure was obligatory because of the actions of the nation’s liberal opposition, the Democratic Celebration, which he accused of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the federal government.
A motorcade believed to be carrying South Korean impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves Yoon’s residence in Seoul on Jan. 15, 2025.
YONHAP/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Underneath South Korea’s structure, if a sitting president is accused of rebel, the police have the authority to arrest him whereas he’s nonetheless in workplace.
A joint investigation crew sought the preliminary warrant on rebel and abuse of energy expenses after they stated Yoon ignored three summonses to seem for questioning. The court docket’s determination to grant the warrant marked a primary for a president within the nation’s historical past.
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