Seoul, South Korea — After weeks of evasion, now impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was finally arrested on January 15 related to his failed martial law attempt.
Hundreds of anti-graft investigators from the Corrution Investigation Office and police authorities successfully raided his residential compound and arrested Yoon after weeks of attempt and series of stand-offs.
Yoon, who is currently facing charges of insurrection over his martial law bid last month, evaded the arrest by remaining is is residence which was protected by members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) who remained loyal to him.
His guards have installed barbed wire and barricades at the residence, even engaging with long hours of standoff against the investigators and the police.
Before dawn of January 15, the CIO authorities were able to capture Yoon, with the impeached president releasing a pre-recorded video message.
In the said video message, Yoon said that he does not accept the legality of the investigation but decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office “to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed.“
Upon his arrest, Yoon’s supporters camped outside his residence to protect him, chanting “illegal warrant” over the arrest, while around 30 lawmakers from the People Power Party rushed to the area to defend Yoon also blocked the investigators from reaching the leader’s residence.
Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours following his arrest, with investigators needing to apply for another warrant to keep him in custody.
Following the controversy, Yoon is the first sitting president in the South Korean history to be arrested, and could face death penalty or life in jail if found guilty of insurrection.