The arrest follows his controversial declaration of martial law in December, which was quickly reversed by the National Assembly.
Reports indicate that Yoon was taken into custody at 10:33 a.m. local time (0133 GMT) by a joint investigation team from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the National Office of Investigation (NOI), and the defense ministry's investigative unit.
TV footage showed Yoon being transported in a black vehicle to the CIO office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, before being moved to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located just 5 km away.
The CIO now has 48 hours to decide whether to request an additional warrant for Yoon's detention, which could last up to 20 days for further questioning or if he will be released.
Yoon's arrest follows an earlier failed attempt on January 3, when his security forces prevented the execution of the arrest warrant.
On January 7, a Seoul court approved an extension of the warrant.
This action comes after Yoon repeatedly ignored calls from investigators to voluntarily appear for questioning.
In a pre-recorded statement, Yoon condemned the arrest, claiming the warrant was illegal and executed through force.
He stated that his acceptance of the procedure was to prevent further conflict.
The arrest took place after Yoon's supporters, legal team, and ruling party lawmakers blocked investigators for over two hours at the main gate of the presidential residence.
Despite this, the investigators from the CIO and NOI were able to break through the security cordons.
The martial law declaration on December 3, which was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly hours later, led to charges of insurrection against Yoon.
Following the martial law incident, the National Assembly voted to impeach the president on December 14, and the case is now under review by the constitutional court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate.
Yoon's impeachment trial began with its first formal hearing on January 14, but it lasted only four minutes as Yoon failed to appear.
A new justice, appointed by the opposition Democratic Party, was included in the hearings despite Yoon's objection.
With two out of three vacancies filled on the nine-member bench, there is increasing speculation that Yoon's impeachment could be upheld.
For Yoon to be removed from office, at least six justices must support the motion.
The court is scheduled to hold further hearings on January 16, 21, 23, and February 4.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-was
