South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested Following Impeachment
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on January 15, 2025, following his impeachment over a failed martial law declaration.
This marks the first time an incumbent South Korean president has been detained. The arrest occurred at Yoon's fortified residence in Seoul after a prolonged standoff involving thousands of police officers and his supporters. Yoon had declared martial law on December 3, 2024, citing threats from "anti-state" forces, but lifted it shortly after due to widespread opposition. He was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, and had since resisted arrest, remaining in his residence surrounded by supporters.
The Constitutional Court is deliberating on his impeachment, with a decision expected in the coming months. If upheld, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. Yoon's arrest has led to political instability in South Korea, with both domestic and international implications.