Suspended South Korean president arrested over failed martial law bid
What's the story
In a historic move, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday after a botched attempt to impose martial law.
The arrest was carried out by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police officers in a pre-dawn raid at his official residence.
This is the first time in South Korea's history that a sitting president has been arrested.
Standoff details
Tense standoff precedes presidential arrest
The arrest came after a tense standoff, with investigators, including the CIO and hundreds of police officers, scaling walls and navigating back trails to reach the compound.
Clashes broke out at the gates between security forces, Yoon's supporters, and lawmakers from his ruling People Power Party.
Supporters shouted slogans like "illegal warrant" and waved flags, trying to block investigators.
Legal proceedings
Yoon's lawyer announces cooperation, impeachment trial begins
Yoon's lawyer Seok Dong-hyeon had earlier announced that the president had agreed to cooperate with investigators to avoid a "serious incident."
However, authorities confirmed Yoon's arrest at 10:33am local time.
The impeachment trial against Yoon had begun on Tuesday but was adjourned after he declined to attend due to safety concerns.
Both supporters and opponents of Yoon were present on Wednesday, showing demonstrators arriving on buses and gathering in the streets near Yoon's compound, CNN and Reuters confirmed.
Message
Protesters from both sides were present on Wednesday
Some protesters shouted, "Resign," "Your time is up," while supporters of the president yelled, "invalid impeachment! "Free ROK, hurrah!"
After he was arrested, Yoon released a pre-recorded video message in which he characterized the investigations against him as "illegal" and stated that "the law is all broken in this country."
"As a president...responding to these illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment of them, but in the hopes of preventing unsavory bloodshed," he said.
Charges detailed
Yoon faces charges of insurrection and corruption
Yoon has been charged with insurrection and corruption for declaring martial law last month.
The warrant permits detectives to detain Yoon for up to 48 hours. To continue detaining him, the CIO would need to file an arrest warrant within that time frame.
His legal team has termed the arrest warrant "illegal" and pledged to fight the charges.
Raid attempts
Second raid successful after initial resistance
Notably, this was their second arrest attempt this month. Their first attempt on January 3 failed as Yoon's Presidential Security Service (PSS) resisted them.
The acting chief of the PSS, Kim Sung-hoon, was also arrested for blocking their first attempt.
Yoon declared martial law in a surprise late-night address on December 3, alleging opposition lawmakers had "paralyzed state affairs" and that the measure was required to "safeguard a liberal South Korea" from threats presented by "anti-state elements."