South Korea’s Impeached President Yoon Arrested After Standoff

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Investigators and police cutting through barbed wires to reach Yoon Suk Yeol (Left).

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, 64, became the first sitting president to be arrested after investigators breached his residence’s security on Wednesday.

Yoon faces charges of insurrection related to a failed martial law order in December, which led to nationwide turmoil.

His impeachment by parliament is suspended pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court.

Yoon’s arrest ended a weeks-long standoff after investigators, who had previously failed to apprehend him in January, arrived at his residence with a large team and tools to scale barricades and cut through barbed wire.

Before his arrest, Yoon claimed in a video that the investigation was illegal but stated he would cooperate to prevent violence. During questioning, he remained silent.

His lawyers argue that the arrest was unlawful, as the anti-corruption agency, the CIO, lacks jurisdiction over insurrection charges.

Opposition leaders hailed the arrest as a step toward restoring justice and democracy.

Currently, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok serves as acting president.

Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours without a new warrant, after which authorities may detain him for up to 20 days.

Pro-Yoon supporters have protested outside the investigation office.

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