Seoul: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was transported to a detention center late Wednesday after a lengthy interrogation session over his imposition of martial law. He will remain there overnight for further questioning regarding his controversial actions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon was escorted to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located 22 kilometers south of Seoul, following more than ten hours of questioning at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in nearby Gwacheon. The CIO disclosed that the questioning concluded at 9:40 p.m. Yoon declined to respond to inquiries about his imposition of martial law on December 3, and will face additional questioning on Thursday. Investigators are expected to seek a formal arrest warrant within 48 hours from the time of his detention at 10:33 a.m. Wednesday.
Yoon, who is suspended from his presidential duties following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14, is facing charges of insurrection and abuse of power. He is accused of deploying troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting against his martial law decree. Despite the charges, Yoon has defended his actions as necessary governance to address what he perceived as legislative overreach by the opposition Democratic Party.
In a video message released after his arrest, Yoon criticized the investigation as illegal but stated that he appeared at the CIO to avoid violence. He has questioned the CIO's authority to investigate insurrection charges. Yoon's legal team has filed for a review of his detention's legality with the Seoul Central District Court, anticipating that any indictment will be filed there.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Yoon plans to contest the impeachment at the Constitutional Court, aiming to either maintain his position or be reinstated. His lawyer, Seok Dong-hyeon, expressed confidence that Yoon would appear at the trial, despite his detention.
The arrest followed tense negotiations between investigators and Yoon's representatives at his residence. Investigators resorted to using ladders to enter the compound after facing resistance from the Presidential Security Service and supporters, including lawmakers, who attempted to block their access. The situation escalated with police deploying thousands of officers to manage the scene, resulting in physical confrontations and some injuries.
Protests have continued outside the presidential residence, with demonstrators both supporting and opposing Yoon's arrest. The atmosphere became increasingly charged following his detention, with supporters directing their ire at the CIO and anti-Yoon protestors.
In a separate incident, a man self-immolated near the CIO, though it remains unclear if this was directly linked to Yoon's arrest.