South Korea's President Yoon Arrested for Insurrection in Unprecedented Move

Jan 18, 2025, 06:24 PM

South Korean investigators have obtained a court warrant to formally arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection and abuse of power related to his failed martial law declaration on December 3rd. On January 18, 2025, the Seoul Western District Court, presided over by Judge Cha Eun-kyung, approved the arrest warrant due to concerns Yoon might destroy evidence. This marks the first time in South Korean constitutional history that a sitting president has been formally arrested. Following the court's decision, hundreds of Yoon's supporters clashed with police, storming the courthouse, breaking windows, and causing property damage. Police deployed 1,400 officers to the scene and arrested at least 40 protesters.