The high-ranking official crimes investigation office arrested President Yoon Seok-yeol today (15th) on charges including leading an insurrection. This event comes 43 days after the “December 3 Martial Law Incident.” This marks an unprecedented occurrence in the constitutional history where a sitting president has been arrested by a law enforcement agency.
The investigation office plans to interrogate President Yoon immediately and intends to request an arrest warrant within the 48-hour detention period. At 10:33 a.m., the office executed the arrest warrant at President Yoon’s residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, securing him.
They transported President Yoon directly, with his escort vehicle arriving at the Government Complex Gwacheon around 10:53 a.m. The office is expected to commence questioning the suspect immediately, having prepared over 200 pages of questions. Deputy prosecutors Lee Dae-hwan and Cha Jung-hyun will conduct the investigation in person.
In consideration of presidential courtesy, there may be a meeting between President Yoon and Director Odong-un or Deputy Director Lee Jae-seung of the investigation office before the interrogation.
President Yoon was identified as the chief instigator of a rebellion declared on December 3, which was found to be unconstitutional and illegal, aimed at disturbing national order. He faces accusations of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun (under indictment) and others to deploy armed martial law forces to block the National Assembly from voting to repeal the martial law.
During this, he allegedly issued orders to “fire if necessary and force entry to remove them” and mentioned “even if repealed, I can re-declare martial law a second or third time,” suggesting further measures. The prosecution’s investigation, including former Minister Kim, revealed these details.
It is believed by the prosecution that 57,735 live rounds were mobilized by the military during the crisis. Additionally, President Yoon is accused of attempting to detain without warrants several key political figures and Central Election Commission staff at the Capital Defense Command bunker.
President Yoon has completely denied these accusations, claiming the martial law declaration was a warning and only a small number of troops were deployed for order maintenance. He disputes the investigation office’s authority to request an arrest warrant for rebellion charges, implying he may exercise his right to remain silent during questioning.
In a pre-recorded video message released by the presidential office, President Yoon mentioned, “To prevent undesirable bloodshed, I have decided to comply with the illegal investigation office summons.” However, he did not comply with previous summons from the investigation office on December 18, 25, and 29.
Subsequently, the investigation office applied for an arrest warrant on December 30, which was issued by Seoul Western District Court Judge Lee Soon-hyung with the leading charge of insurrection and a one-week validity period.
The court’s decision was based on ‘failure to comply with a summons without legitimate reason, concern he might not respond, and substantial reasons to suspect he’s committed the crime.’
Attempts to execute the warrant on January 3, with police assistance, at President Yoon’s residence were thwarted by a human chain of 200 presidential guards and a three-tier vehicle blockade, leading to a 5 hour and 30 minute standoff before withdrawal.
The investigation office reapplied for and reissued the warrant on January 6, successfully executing it eight days later, three hours after entering the residence.
Following President Yoon’s interrogation, the investigation office plans to request an arrest warrant, as suspects must be formally detained within 48 hours of being taken into custody.