President Yoon Suk-yeol was detained on Wednesday after a high-stakes predawn raid involving thousands of law enforcement officials. This marks the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has been detained.
Here’s everything you need to know about the embattled leader, the events leading to his impeachment, and what lies ahead:
On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from “anti-state forces.” He deployed troops to the parliamentary building in Seoul and attempted to arrest lawmakers opposing his administration. However, within hours, the National Assembly overturned his martial law order, forcing Yoon to rescind it.
Lawmakers moved swiftly, voting to impeach Yoon on December 14, 2024. The impeachment charges include insurrection, a serious offense that allows law enforcement to bypass the typical immunity granted to sitting presidents.
Yoon and his legal team have challenged the validity of the charges, arguing that the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which issued the warrant, lacks jurisdiction to investigate insurrection under South Korean law.
Despite initial resistance to detention, Yoon was arrested on January 15, 2025, following a large-scale predawn police raid on his presidential residence in Seoul. More than 3,200 officers participated in the operation, facing barricades set up by Yoon’s security detail.
After hours of standoff, Yoon surrendered to authorities, stating he acted to avoid a violent confrontation. He is now in custody at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, where investigators are questioning him over his decision to impose martial law.
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Yoon’s fate lies in the hands of the South Korean Constitutional Court, which is reviewing whether to uphold his impeachment. If the court rules against him, he will be permanently removed from office, triggering a presidential election within two months.
In the meantime, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is acting as president, maintaining stability in the government.
Public sentiment against Yoon is strong, with a recent Gallup Korea poll showing 64% of respondents supporting his impeachment. However, Yoon’s conservative party has experienced a surge in support, reaching its highest approval rating in months at 34%
South Korea has faced impeachment crises before. In 2004, the Constitutional Court reinstated President Roh Moo-hyun after rejecting his impeachment. In contrast, the court upheld the removal of President Park Geun-hye in 2017.
As South Korea watches these events unfold, the country faces uncertainty about its leadership and the implications for its democracy. The Constitutional Court’s decision will shape the nation’s political future and determine Yoon’s legacy.
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