South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday over insurrection allegations, with the embattled leader saying he agreed to comply with what he called an illegal probe to avoid "bloodshed".
His arrest, the first ever for an incumbent president, is the latest head-spinning development for one of Asia's most vibrant democracies even though the country has a history of prosecuting and imprisoning former leaders.
Since lawmakers voted to stand him down after his short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec 3, Yoon has been holed up at his hillside residence, guarded by a small army of personal security that blocked a previous arrest attempt.
A defiant Yoon said he submitted himself for questioning to avoid any violence after more than 3,000 police officers marched on his residence to arrest him from the early hours of Wednesday.
"I decided to respond to the CIO's investigation - despite it being an illegal investigation - to prevent unsavory bloodshed," Yoon said in a statement, referring to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) heading the probe.
Yoon was later seen leaving his residence in a motorcade and arriving at the CIO offices. Authorities now have 48 hours to question Yoon after which they must seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days or release him.
Yoon's lawyers have said the arrest warrant is illegal because it was issued by a court in the wrong jurisdiction and the team set up to investigate him had no legal mandate to do so.
Yoon's declaration of martial law shocked South Koreans, rattled Asia's fourth largest economy and ushered in an unprecedented period of political turmoil in one of Washington's key security partners in the region. Lawmakers voted to impeach him and remove him from duties on Dec 14.
Separately, the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to uphold that impeachment and permanently remove him from office or restore his presidential powers.
The latest arrest attempt that began before dawn gripped the nation with hundreds of thousands glued to live feeds showing bus loads of police arriving near the presidential residence, pushing past Yoon supporters and then walking towards the gates of the compound carrying ladders and wire cutters.
As local news broadcasters reported that Yoon's detention was imminent, some minor scuffles broke out between pro-Yoon protesters and police near the residence, according to a Reuters witness at the scene.
Throngs of those protesters gathered before dawn in sub-zero temperatures, some wrapped in foil blankets and others waving flags bearing "Stop the Steal" slogans referring to Yoon's unsubstantiated claims of election fraud - one of the reasons he gave to justify his short-lived martial law declaration.
Some of Yoon's supporters have drawn parallels with his plight and that of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who also claimed voter fraud contributed to his election defeat in 2020 but recovered to make a stunning political comeback.
"It is very sad to see our country falling apart," said Kim Woo-sub, a 70-year-old retiree protesting Yoon's arrest outside his residence on Wednesday.
"I still have high expectations for Trump to support our president. Election fraud is something they have in common but also the U.S. needs South Korea to fight China," he said.
Despite polls showing a majority of South Koreans disapprove of Yoon's martial law declaration and support his impeachment, the political standoff has given oxygen to his supporters and his People Power Party (PPP) has seen a revival in recent weeks.
Support for the PPP stood at 40.8% in the latest Realmeter poll released on Monday, while the main opposition Democratic Party's support stood at 42.2%, within a margin of error and down from a gap of 10.8% from last week, the poll said.
© Thomson Reuters 2025.
38 Comments
Login to comment
Desert Tortoise
Good !
daikaka
This marks the beginning of the end of South Korea-US alliance, very likely US troops will be removed from Korea within the next 4 years
Tough times ahead for Japan as South Korea joins China.
deanzaZZR
Ah, the national hero we all knew him to be. These disgraced leaders are their egos. My goodness.
deanzaZZR
@daikaka The arrest is a sad event for you?I
daikaka
get off your moral high ground and have some sense of self preservation if you live in Japan.
This effectively puts another hostile nation right on the door steps, making Japan face Russia, China, North Korea and South Korea. This have completely changed the power balance and therefore makes peace harder to maintain as now the 4 nations can win decisively in a war
deanzaZZR
Moral high horse? I simply disagree with your analysis. Explain how South Korea "joins China" with a new government?
Peter Neil
wait, a country where a criminal politician trying to be an autocrat is arrested? imagine that!
daikaka
The leader of DPK is staunchly anti-US and anti-Japan and very much pro-China.
"The ruling Democratic Party’s presidential frontrunner, Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, sparked controversy by calling the United States an “occupying force” during a visit to a museum dedicated to an independence activist on Thursday."
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/07/04/national/politics/history-controversy-Lee-Jaemyung/20210704182900371.html
He have made his intentions very clear that he wants to remove US troops from Korea, distance Korea from US/ Japan alliance, and position Korea to be aligned with China
commanteer
So you are saying a democracy will join with three dictatorships to oppose other democracies and allies? Dream on.
Harry_Gatto
That such an office exists says a lot about the place.
deanzaZZR
I find it somewhat befuddling that non-Japanese in Japan are concerned that a new government in independent South Korea could choose a more balanced approach to the whole USA/Japan/China dynamic in order to lower tensions and improve the economy. Russia has little importance and North Korea is another kettle of fish entirely.
Hello Kitty 321
@Harry Geto
Yes it does. It is a pity that more countries don't emulate them.
kohakuebisu
The declaration of martial law has not been adequately explained. The accusations of the opposition being pro-NK are ludicrous and not worthy of consideration.
The suspicion is that Yoon was an overly pro-US goon who declared martial law due to rapidly increasing dissatisfaction with him. This includes him ramping up tensions with NK with unnecessary (pro US) comments about NK sending troops to fight for Russia and (illegally for SK) offering the US ammunition that would be Ukraine bound. Due to evaporated popularity, Yoon has no support in the Korean parliament and is unable to enact policy. A quick look at minority governments in other countries should tell you the normal response to this is certainly not martial law. Something else must be driving such a desparate and extreme move. Yoon supporters have been waving the Stars and Stripes at rallies, so I'm not just making this up.
Big picture is the US cannot just do what it wants in country A (Ukraine) against country B (Russia) and expect it to have no effect on other countries. SK isn't the only country with a fractious relationship with a Russia ally.
u_s__reamer
Like the Brazilians, the Koreans, too, are showing the world how to arrest a president. Not hard at all (in a functioning democracy).
TaiwanIsNotChina
Still Putin's War
elephant200
Good,the obstacle between China and South Korea and Japan is finally removed. Yoon is like Biden who wants to stir up a catastrophe in Asia but after Yoon's gone and to be put into prison, the Indo Pacific strategy is not going to take shape. Next president of South Korea will be very pragmatic and take a fair view over her neighbor: China !
TaiwanIsNotChina
I have heard no such thing. I will believe it when I see it.
isabelle
Time to go, Yoon. Thank you for all the great efforts you made in Japan relations, but declaring martial law was completely wrong.
I sincerely hope the good Japan relations continue, but if the DP gets in South Korea will likely revert to the usual anti-Japan trash. This would be a great shame, and to the detriment of both nations.
At least there's a good chance that the fervently anti-Japan Lee Jae-myung's legal problems will prevent him from taking office.
https://thediplomat.com/2024/11/lee-jae-myungs-legal-perils-could-threaten-his-presidential-bid/
elephant200
@daikaka: Tough times ahead for Japan as South Korea joins China.
The Ishiba cabinet should know the place of where they are being.
The "Abe doctrine" is history and Mr.Kishida's cozy strategy is gone as Harris losing and Yoon is arrested. The future of east Asia depends on China !
Fos
kohakuebisu
Good riddance, the continent will be much safer without him.
We understood who pushed him into the job when he went to Washington.
And now we know why he was not fit for his role:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-E6Bk-JHvo
quercetum
It is very likely US troops will take over Korea within the next 4 years is more like it. Occupiers are not going to easily give up their occupation.
Germany 35,068
South Korea 24,234
Italy 12,375
United Kingdom 10,058
Bahrain 3,479
Spain 3,292
Turkey 1,690
TaiwanIsNotChina
I know that video just kills the apologist. It's almost like bug spray.
deanzaZZR
It will be a tough choice. Send troops to occupy Greenland and Panama or Korea?
daikaka
In this future, the neighbors would be conquered and its culture and people destroyed.
NihonRyu
Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest marks a critical turning point for South Korea’s democracy and its strategic alliances. As one of the few South Korean leaders who actively championed a robust U.S.-Japan-South Korea alliance, Yoon’s ousting under contentious circumstances is deeply troubling.
Yoon stood firm against threats from North Korea, resisted growing Chinese influence, and countered Russian aggression in the region. His commitment to enhancing South Korea's ties with Japan was pivotal, representing a significant step towards reconciliation and regional security. His leadership prioritized a united front against authoritarian regimes and ensured South Korea’s vital role in maintaining peace in East Asia.
Now, his removal appears orchestrated by forces aligned with pro-China, North Korean unification, and Russian interests—groups eager to dismantle the progress made under Yoon. This arrest, coupled with allegations of an illegal investigation, raises serious concerns about the motives behind his impeachment and the future direction of South Korea’s foreign policy.
The implications are stark. A weakened U.S.-South Korea-Japan alliance could embolden regional adversaries, destabilize East Asia, and jeopardize the hard-earned diplomatic achievements of recent years. The potential pivot away from this alliance risks isolating South Korea and aligning it with authoritarian powers, a move that would undermine both its democratic principles and its security.
Regardless of one’s view on Yoon’s declaration of martial law, the broader context of his removal suggests a deliberate effort to undermine a strong pro-Western stance. If these trends continue, it could spell the end of South Korea's alignment with its democratic allies, leaving Japan and the U.S. to face a far more precarious security environment.
South Koreans and the global community must question whether Yoon's arrest represents justice or a calculated political maneuver. The future of South Korea as a vibrant democracy and its role as a key player in regional stability could hang in the balance.
deanzaZZR
Huh, I am pretty sure I saw this same block of text in another thread. Note to poster, TLDR.
elephant200
Yoon is just another rightist and running dog for the Americans, he should be prosecuted for treason, a big shame for South Korea!
Fos
elephant200
Bye bye American Pie. Certainly less warmongering, less weapons in the continent
Legrande
Now, his removal appears orchestrated by forces aligned with pro-China, North Korean unification, and Russian interests—groups eager to dismantle the progress made under Yoon. This arrest, coupled with allegations of an illegal investigation, raises serious concerns about the motives behind his impeachment
Yes of course you are spot on with your insightful analysis after all it must be that those pro China groups that forced Yoon to go on TV and declare martial law...rather than the fact that Yoon had become a lame duck president.
Its plain to see that none of this would have happened if Yoon hadn't declared martial law and had instead worked to find another way to work within the framework od democratic processes to achieve his goals.
Instead he revealed himself to have the heart of an oppressive dictator who tried to get his way by brute force.
You would have us believe he is some kind of hero who has been upended by devious forces...nothing of the sort. He brought this onto himself. If he is someone that can be manipulated to the point of declaring martial law, he is not fit be the leader of a country.
kennyG
So you are saying it won't. Despite heavy on-going censorship against those people everywhere who support Yoon?
I am eager to know how you think so unless you want it happen
kennyG
He posted himself for the peace , then arrested, unlike this ugly party leader of DPK, who does anything to strech his own trial schedule.
lostrune2
Yoon is South Korea's Trump
GBR48
Wannabe Dictator Yoon attempted a coup.
All those whining about Japan's relationship: SK is a democracy and does not want to go back to being a dictatorship. You have no values or ethics if you would be happy to sacrifice another nation's democracy for your own benefit. Shame on you. You should be disgusted by your lack of standards and your selfishness.
Yoon's party still leads in the polls and would probably win an election. If they have any decency they will leave Yoon in prison where he belongs. They are more likely to pardon him and damage the country further.
Personally, if he refused to surrender to the police, I would have destroyed the building and all the traitors in it with helicopter gunships. You defend democracy with equal force as that which dictators and wannabe dictators use to quash it.
Japan only need some quality and talent in government to deal comfortably with foreign regimes.
Samit Basu
@GBR48
Not sure where you are getting your numbers, since Lee is outpolling the closest conservative rival by 4 times.
https://www.mk.co.kr/en/politics/11214626
Lee Jae Myung(DP) : 32%
Kim Moon Soo(PPP) : 8%
Hang Dong Hoon(PPP) : 6%
Hong Joon Pyo(PPP) : 5%
Oh Se Hoon(PPP) : 3%
This is a multi candidate poll and Lee is expected to get 60~65% of the votes in an actual election in April. People are fed up with low-tax PPP running country into ground, they would rather vote for high-tax Democratic Party that can actually govern.
Lee Jae Myung was the highest approved major and governor in Korea's history before the last presidential election and this is why his loss to a drunk retard was so shocking, but the soaring property taxes on the back of booming property market was a big issue at that time. People are now more cautious as they have seen the result of voting for an unproven single issue candidate like Yoon.
Desert Tortoise
Yoon cultivated male anger at woman's rights and the Four B's and it got him elected. There was no great surprise. Everyone saw it coming. That dynamic, btw, has not changed. If anything the male - female divide in South Korea has widened.
Tamarama
It seems like a type of Democratic, rule-of-law type system.
Mostly.
Sort of.
deanzaZZR
Yoon refused to answer any questions. I wonder how he thinks this will end.
Yoon exercises right to remain silent during hours-long interrogation
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/281_390492.html
Samit Basu
@Desert Tortoise
You don't understand. The mastermind of Yoon's narrowest path of victory was Lee Jun-Seok, the Harvard-educated then PPP party leader too young to run for president himself.
Lee was since kicked out of PPP by Yoon's cronies and is now firmly anti-Yoon, his new party literally ran on impeaching Yoon. PPP doesn't have anybody smart enough to run a campaign like Lee anymore. PPP is nothing but a party of elderly oyajis.
Lee has since apologized for having contributed to Yoon's election, but his hands were tied because he was the leader of PPP at that time. It was a fortune of PPP to have recruited a boy genius like Lee and a misfortune to let Yoon kick him out.