South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on January 15, 2025, over his failed martial law attempt. Yoon, the first president in the country’s history to be detained, faces charges of insurrection. His arrest follows political chaos and a pending impeachment trial, which could lead to new elections.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on January 15, 2025, following a failed attempt to impose martial law. This arrest marks a historic moment as Yoon is the first sitting president in South Korea’s history to be detained. The impeachment process against him escalated after he attempted to deploy troops to parliament in December 2024, citing threats from North Korea and internal anti-state elements. His attempt failed when lawmakers voted against martial law, and it was revoked after six hours.
Yoon evaded arrest for weeks by barricading himself in his residence with loyal security forces who erected barricades and barbed wire. Despite this, a large contingent of police and investigators surrounded his compound early on January 15, leading to a tense, hours-long standoff. Yoon eventually complied with authorities, recording a message to avoid further bloodshed.
His arrest follows intense political unrest, with Yoon’s supporters labeling the arrest warrant as illegal. A parallel impeachment trial is ongoing, and if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, Yoon will officially lose the presidency, triggering fresh elections within 60 days. The opposition Democratic Party hailed Yoon’s detention as a victory for the country’s legal order, while his allies condemned the arrest as unlawful, sparking a further political divide.
