South Korean police arrested accused President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday local time, ABC News confirmed.
The arrest comes weeks after investigators tried to arrest the embattled politician over his brief declaration of martial law in December.
Prosecutors from South Korea’s Supreme Corruption Investigation Bureau raided Yoon’s residence, spokesman Kim Baek-ki told reporters. The warrant was officially executed at 10:33 am
Yoon then drove to the Corruption Investigation Bureau in his presidential security vehicle for questioning.
The president decided to appear in person at the office “to avoid serious incidents between the Security Service and the police,” said his lawyer Suk Dong-hyun.
“With the high probability of a physical confrontation between the Security Service and the Police, it is clear that a serious incident could arise,” said Yoon’s lawyer. “As president, President Yoon is determined to avoid such a scenario, despite recognizing that the CIO’s investigation and arrest attempts are clearly illegal.”
Police officers patrol near the residence of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on January 15, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images
In a pre-recorded video message to the country, Yoon addressed the latest attempt to arrest him.
“Unfortunately, the laws have completely collapsed in this country,” he said. “Agencies without investigative powers and courts issuing arrest warrants and search and seizure warrants, issuing false official documents to mislead people, committing such illegal acts and to follow the procedures. In invalid endorsements, I can’t help but regret it.”
Yoon said he was presenting himself to the CIO, but it was not an endorsement of what he called his illegal investigation, but an “effort to avoid unnecessary bloodshed as they tried to force their way into my residence.”
Supporters of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol clash with police as authorities try to enforce an arrest warrant, in Seoul, January 15, 2025.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Anti-corruption authorities tried to enter the property earlier this month, but a standoff broke out between Yoon’s security team and police investigators.
A total of 3,000 police were on the scene and thousands of protesters were trying to block the arrest, which was eventually called off.
Police and investigators leave the residence of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, Jan. 15, 2025.
Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images
Efforts to arrest Yoon came after a South Korean court issued an arrest and search warrant on Dec. 31 because of his short-lived martial law, ABC News confirmed at the time. Yoon has been suspended from his post since December 14.
The former president declared martial law in a televised address on December 3, saying the measure was necessary because of the actions of the country’s liberal opposition, the Democratic Party, which it accused of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and stalling the government.
A motorcade believed to be carrying ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol leaves Yoon’s residence in Seoul, Jan. 15, 2025.
YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images
Under the South Korean Constitution, if a sitting president is accused of rebellion, the police have the power to arrest him while he is still in office.
A joint investigation team sought the opening order of sedition and abuse of power charges after Yoon said he failed three calls to appear for questioning. The court’s decision to grant the order was a first for a president in the country’s history.
