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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested for Questioning

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested and taken in for questioning by the country’s anti-corruption agency, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing political crisis triggered by his controversial martial law decree last month.

The arrest, which took place Wednesday morning, is unprecedented in South Korea’s history, as it is the first time a sitting president has been subjected to such an action.

Yoon was escorted from his home by investigators in a motorcade. He is currently under investigation for several criminal charges related to his brief declaration of martial law, including allegations of insurrection—a serious offense that could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

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As of Wednesday evening, President Yoon had declined to answer questions from investigators and did not permit the questioning to be recorded, according to an official from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO). He is anticipated to spend the night in solitary confinement at a nearby detention facility for “safety reasons.” For weeks, Yoon had been holed up in his fortified residence, protected by the Presidential Security Service, avoiding arrest while facing multiple investigations and an impeachment trial.

Earlier this month, an attempt by the CIO (working with police and the defense ministry) to detain him ended in a standoff with soldiers and presidential security personnel blocking access to the compound. Following his arrest, Yoon released a video message denouncing the investigations as “illegal” and claiming that “rule of law in this country has completely collapsed.” He asserted that his cooperation with investigators was solely to prevent violence. “As a president who must protect the constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, responding to these illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment of them, but in the hopes of preventing unsavory bloodshed,” he stated.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested for Questioning

The warrant allows investigators to hold Yoon for up to 48 hours. The CIO will need to apply for an arrest warrant to extend his detention beyond that timeframe. Demonstrations took place outside Yoon’s compound despite sub-zero temperatures, with both supporters and opponents gathering. Supporters chanted slogans such as “invalid impeachment,” “free ROK, hurrah!” and “we won!”, while opponents called for his resignation and accountability. Pro-Yoon demonstrators notably displayed signs with the phrase “Stop the steal” and waved American flags.

Source: cnn

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