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Police detain impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

In a historic move, suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained by law enforcement officials, marking the first time a sitting president in the country has faced such action.

The detention follows criminal investigations into Yoon’s declaration of martial law last December, as reported by the nation’s anti-corruption agency.

Yoon was taken into custody on January 15 during a dramatic predawn police raid that involved around 3,200 officers and drew thousands of supporters and opponents to his presidential residence in central Seoul. The incident stems from allegations that Yoon attempted to arrest lawmakers who opposed him by imposing martial law and deploying troops to the parliamentary building on December 3. Lawmakers swiftly overturned Yoon’s martial law order just hours later, leading to his impeachment on December 14.

Currently, Yoon faces multiple investigations and has been banned from leaving the country while the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether he will be removed from office.

The raid unfolded in the early hours of January 15, with police officers attempting to breach barricades set up by the presidential security detail. Some officers used ladders and wire cutters, while others sought alternate routes to enter the compound. Amidst the chaos, Yoon surrendered to prosecutors around 10:30 a.m., stating in a video that he chose to cooperate with authorities to prevent a violent confrontation between his security team and the police.

This follows a previous standoff on January 3, when officials from South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office attempted to execute a warrant for Yoon’s detention but were blocked by his security service, resulting in a prolonged confrontation.

As the nation watches closely, the unfolding events raise significant questions about political accountability and the future of leadership in South Korea. The implications of Yoon’s detainment could reshape the country’s political landscape in the coming months.

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