South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has been arrested for attempting to impose martial law in a failed bid. According to AFP, hundreds of police officers and investigators scaled the walls of the presidential residence early Wednesday morning, reaching the main building, while supporters of the president were also present at the scene.
Earlier, on January 3, police had attempted to arrest the ousted president, but security forces at the residence prevented it. This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has been arrested.
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief attempt to enforce martial law was deemed tantamount to a coup, and the parliament had passed an impeachment motion against him with a majority vote.
On Wednesday morning, Yoon’s lawyer announced on Facebook that the president had agreed to speak with investigators and decided to leave the residence to avoid any “serious incidents.” Shortly after this announcement, investigators confirmed that Yoon Suk-yeol had been arrested.
In a statement, they said, “The Joint Investigation Headquarters executed the arrest warrant today, January 15, at 10 AM local time.”
AFP reporters noted a scuffle between security forces and Yoon’s supporters at the residence’s gate, as they tried to protect the president.
