OAN Staff Blake Wolf
10:56am – Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was detained at the presidential palace on Wednesday after opting to comply with a major law enforcement operation ordered by the anti-corruption agency, the High-level Corruption Investigation Bureau.
advertisement
Yun's arrest is related to the martial law he imposed on the country in December.
Although martial law was short-lived, it was declared in order to “protect the constitutional order based on freedom and eradicate shameful pro-North Korean and anti-national groups that are robbing the people of their freedom and happiness.”
In response to the backlash over Yoon's declaration of martial law, there were overwhelming calls for the president's impeachment, which was passed with a two-thirds majority, and Prime Minister Han Do-soo became acting president.
Han was also impeached and former vice prime minister Choi Sang-mok was appointed as acting president after parliamentarians claimed that he had not followed the formal procedures necessary to complete the impeachment of Yoon. .
The National Assembly argued that there were no signs of a national emergency and that Yun's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional. He also claimed that he did not notify lawmakers in advance.
Yun's high-profile arrest led law enforcement to deploy about 3,000 people to the presidential palace, where he had barricaded himself since his impeachment, and arrested him hours after police arrived.
On his way home, Yun said, “The rule of law has completely collapsed in this country.''
“Although the investigation is illegal, I have decided to agree to appear before the CIO in order to prevent ugly bloodshed,'' he said, vowing to “fight to the end.''
Meanwhile, hundreds of Yun's supporters gathered in front of the Anti-Corruption Agency's office and protested against his arrest, chanting, “We will fight with President Yun Seok-yue!”
This was the second time the High-level Corruption Investigation Office attempted to detain Mr. Yoon.
The first attempt was made on January 3rd.rd,ending A six-hour standoff with the president's security staff ensued. In the end, it was cancelled.
Yun's lawyers have consistently argued that the execution of the warrant for his arrest was illegal because South Korean law prohibits nonconsensual searches of locations related to military secrets.
The anti-corruption agency will seek a court order for his formal arrest within 48 hours. If authorities do not respond, Yoon could be released as prosecutors prepare to indict the former president on charges of treason and abuse of power.
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
