Seoul: Investigators detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence on Wednesday, marking the second attempt to take him into custody for questioning regarding his brief imposition of martial law. Yoon, notable for being the first sitting president to be arrested, was questioned for two and a half hours at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) headquarters in Gwacheon, located just south of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon was transported in a convoy from the presidential residence compound shortly after 10:33 a.m., when the CIO executed its warrant for his detention. A CIO official reported that Yoon is currently refusing to testify, and an afternoon session is planned for 2:40 p.m. The morning session, led by Lee Jae-seung, deputy chief of the CIO, took place in an interrogation room with Yoon's legal representatives present, although it was not recorded on video due to Yoon's objections.
Yoon faces charges of insurrection and abuse of power, having been suspended from duty following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14. He is accused of deploying troops to the National Assembly after declaring martial law on December 3 to prevent lawmakers from voting down the decree. Following questioning, Yoon is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, near the CIO's office.
Despite the charges, Yoon defended his declaration of martial law as an "act of governance" intended to caution the main opposition Democratic Party against what he termed as legislative power abuse. After his arrest, he released a defiant video message stating, "Although it is an illegal investigation, I decided to agree to appear at the CIO in order to prevent ugly bloodshed."
Yoon has consistently challenged the legality of the CIO's probe, arguing that the agency is not technically authorized to investigate insurrection charges. He has expressed intentions to present his case before the Constitutional Court in a trial to determine whether he should be removed from office or reinstated. Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer and longtime friend, commented on the likelihood of Yoon being kept in custody but asserted his belief that Yoon would face the trial undeterred.
The arrest followed lengthy discussions between investigators and Yoon's representatives at his residence. A CIO official stated that they were focused on executing the warrant rather than considering Yoon's voluntary appearance. Unlike the first attempt, there were no active resistances from security personnel during this execution.
The investigators employed ladders to access the presidential residence after being obstructed by the Presidential Security Service (PSS), which had set up a barricade with vehicles. Investigators also faced opposition from lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party and Yoon's attorneys. As police deployed 3,000 personnel to secure the area, physical clashes erupted between investigators and Yoon's supporters. Fire authorities treated a middle-aged woman injured in the commotion.
Thousands of demonstrators supporting or opposing Yoon's arrest have rallied outside the residence for weeks, enduring the harsh winter conditions. Yoon's supporters reacted vehemently to news of his detainment, directing insults towards anti-Yoon protesters and the "commie CIO." Some supporters took their protest to the CIO office, gathering by 11:30 a.m. across its entrance.
The first attempt to detain Yoon earlier this month failed after a prolonged standoff involving his security staff. The Seoul Western District Court had issued search and detention warrants for the presidential residence following Yoon's refusal to comply with three summonses for questioning. These warrants, extended last week after expiration, remain valid until January 21.