Battling huge crowds, scaling walls… How South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol was finally arrested

Political drama returned to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on Wednesday (January 15) as investigators entered impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s residence and arrested him over allegations that his declaration of martial law on December 3 last year amounted to insurrection.

His arrest , the first ever for an incumbent president, is the latest in a weeks-long series of events that has left the country on edge.

Shortly after investigators stormed Yoon’s official residence — which had been turned into a fortress — the impeached leader said that he had decided to submit to questioning over his failed martial law bid to avert “bloodshed” even though he believed the probe was illegal. “I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office,” Yoon said in a pre-recorded video message, adding that he did not accept the legality of the investigation but was complying “to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed”.

Wednesday’s action is the second attempt to detain the embattled leader for questioning over his short-lived declaration.

As drama grips the nation, we take a closer look at the circumstances leading to the arrest and what could happen next.

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Yoon’s dramatic arrest

After receiving the warrant to detain Yoon at 10.33 am local time, officials from the Corruption Investigation Office reached the Presidential compound in an attempt to arrest him.

Drama quickly unfolded at the presidential compound in the upscale Seoul district of Hannam Dong as authorities, almost 3,000 in number, had to first clear the thousands of people who were camping outside, protesting the arrest. According to local media, Yoon’s supporters were yelling, saying it was illegal for the police to enter the residence.

Many of them had been camping in sub-zero temperatures waving flags bearing the ‘stop the steal’ slogan, referring to Yoon’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. One of the supporters, speaking to Reuters, said, “It is very sad to see our country falling apart.”

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Once they cleared the public, the authorities had to contend with the fortress-like situation that had been set up in the compound. Guards from the Presidential Security Service (PSS) had installed barbed wire around the premises and even used buses as blockades.

However, thousands of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office surrounded the residence, some scaling perimeter walls and hiking up back trails to reach the main building.

Finally, after another few hours of a standoff, authorities announced Yoon had been arrested. Simultaneously, Yoon released a video in which he said, “I decided to respond to the CIO’s investigation — despite it being an illegal investigation — to prevent unsavoury bloodshed.

Later, the embattled leader left his residence in a motorcade as his supporters yelled “illegal warrant”. AFP reports that lawmakers from Yoon’s party, the People Power Party, also rushed to the area in an apparent bid to defend him.

Yoon later arrived at the CIO offices where authorities now have 48 hours to question him 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.

While Yoon faces questioning, he also awaits his fate in the Constitutional Court, which has launched a trial to rule on parliament’s impeachment of Yoon. If the court endorses the impeachment, Yoon will finally lose the presidency and fresh elections will have to be held within 60 days.

South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party celebrated Yoon’s detention. “The arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol is the first step toward restoring constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law,” floor leader Park Chan-dae told the party in a meeting. “Although overdue, it is truly fortunate to confirm that public authority and justice in South Korea are still alive.”

Yoon’s six-weeks long drama

Wednesday’s arrest of Yoon, the first incumbent South Korean president to be arrested, is the culmination of drama that began last December when he made a declaration of martial law, only to recall it six hours later after members of the National Assembly, including some from Yoon’s own party, voted to reverse his decision.

Yoon’s order faced fierce backlash from the public and lawmakers across the political spectrum, reviving painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past.

The very next day, the opposition in South Korea vows to push for impeachment and file an official motion. On December 7, three days after making the declaration for martial law, Yoon appeared on television, apologising for his actions.

But it seems his apology didn’t change the minds of the lawmakers, who on December 14, voted to impeach him. By doing so, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became the nation’s acting leader.

Drama ensued on January 3 when investigators made their move to arrest Yoon but were blocked by his guards in a tense six-hour standoff. They were forced to stand down, citing security concerns, after being met by hundreds of security forces linking arms to block access to Yoon.

Uncertain future for Yoon and South Korea

Yoon’s arrest isn’t the end of the drama though. Authorities have the next two days — 48 hours — to obtain a detention warrant. If the court refuses to issue another warrant, Yoon will be released.

In the case of a detention warrant, Yoon can be detained for up to 20 days before being brought to trial. Once indicted, prosecutors may request that Yoon be tried under detention, which can last up to six months. Yoon faces a possible life imprisonment or even the death penalty if he is found guilty of insurrection.

The move also puts South Korea in the midst of political uncertainty and there are concerns of clashes between Yoon supporters and his detractors. This could be seen even as Yoon left the presidential compound for questioning. While the anti-Yoon crowd blasted out “congratulations and celebrations”, the Yoon supporters were angry and dejected. One of them even told the BBC, “We are very upset and angry — the rule of law has broken down.”

With inputs from agencies