South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained in a massive law enforcement operation at the presidential compound Wednesday (January 15, 2025), defiantly insisting the anti-corruption agency didn’t have the authority to investigate his actions but saying he complied to prevent violence.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials said Yoon was brought into custody about five hours after investigators arrived at the presidential compound and about three hours after they successfully entered the residence, in their second attempt to detain him over his imposition of martial law.
A series of black SUVs, some equipped with sirens, were seen leaving the presidential compound with police escorts. Yoon was later seen stepping out of a vehicle after arriving at the agency’s office in the nearby city of Gwacheon. Following the questioning, Mr. Yoon was expected to be sent to a detention center in Uiwang, near Seoul.
In this image released by South Korean President Office via Yonhap, impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP/PTI)(AP01_15_2025_000005B)
What’s next?
The anti-corruption agency, which is leading a joint investigation with the police and the military over whether Yoon’s martial law declaration amounted to an attempted rebellion, has 48 hours to request a court order for a formal arrest on a charge of attempting a rebellion, and if it fails to do so, Mr. Yoon will be released. If Mr. Yoon is formally arrested, investigators can extend his detention to 20 days before transferring the case to public prosecutors for indictment.
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