South Korean police arrest President Yoon after weekslong showdown

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Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Roey Hadar (Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

South Korea’s anti-corruption agency says authorities arrested the country’s impeached president, Yoon Suk-Yeol. The arrest wraps up a weekslong showdown that saw the president holed up in his secured residence.

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The episode also follows a period of instability since Yoon briefly declared martial law in South Korea last month, prompting the country’s parliament to impeach him.

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It is the first time authorities in South Korea have arrested a sitting president. Yoon faces questioning as investigators explore whether he led an insurrection, a crime punishable by life in prison or death.

The news led to an outcry from supporters outside Yoon’s house and celebrations from anti-Yoon demonstrators. They chanted, “Your time is up,” and “Resign.”

Yoon sparked national protests after declaring martial law in the middle of a budget showdown and a probe into whether he leveraged his influence to help a business associate.

At the time, Yoon claimed his martial law decree was based on alleged election hacking and “anti-state” North Korean sympathizers.

He reversed the decision after the protests. All the while, members of the legislature got around a military blockade to meet in their chamber and vote to override the martial law declaration.

Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended after the country’s parliament, including a dozen of his own party members, voted to impeach him.

After his arrest, Yoon released a recorded video calling all the investigations illegal.

Anti-corruption authorities can legally hold Yoon for up to 48 hours but would need an arrest warrant to hold him for longer.

An impeachment trial started on Tuesday, Jan. 14. However, it was quickly adjourned after Yoon failed to attend. South Korea’s constitutional court has up to six months to issue a ruling on the impeachment vote.

Tags: Impeachment, South Korea, South Korean Military, Yoon Suk Yeol

LAUREN TAYLOR: South Korea’s anti-corruption agency saying authorities arrested the country’s impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol.

It wraps up a weekslong showdown where the president holed himself up in his secured residence … and follows over a month of instability since Yoon briefly declared martial law in the country last month, prompting the country’s parliament to impeach him.

It is the first time authorities in South Korea have arrested a sitting president. Yoon faces questioning as investigations explore whether he led an insurrection, a crime punishable by life in prison or death in South Korea.

PROTESTERS: (chanting in Korean)

LAUREN TAYLOR: The news led to an outcry from supporters outside Yoon’s house but sparked celebrations from anti-Yoon demonstrators, with opponents chanting phrases including “your time is up” and “resign.”

Yoon sparked national protests after declaring martial law in the middle of a budget showdown and a probe into whether he leveraged his influence to help a business associate.

He reversed the decision after the protests, as well as members of the legislature getting around a military blockade to meet in their chamber and vote to override the martial law declaration.

Yoon currently cannot use the power of the presidency, with his powers suspended after the country’s parliament, including a dozen members of Yoon’s own party, impeached him.

After his arrest, Yoon released a recorded video statement in which he called all the investigations illegal.

Anti-corruption authorities can legally hold Yoon for up to 48 hours and would need an arrest warrant to hold him for longer.

An impeachment trial started Tuesday and South Korea’s constitutional court has up to six months to issue a ruling on the impeachment vote.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.

And for all the latest updates on this and other top stories, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SAN.com.