Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially arrested early Sunday, days after being apprehended at his presidential compound in Seoul, as he faces possible prison time following his ill-fated declaration of martial law last month.
Yoon’s arrest could mark the start of a prolonged period of detention, potentially lasting months or longer.
The Seoul Western District Court granted law enforcement’s request to issue an arrest warrant for Yoon after several hours of deliberation, saying he posed a threat to destroy evidence. Yoon and his lawyers appeared before the court judge in a hearing on Saturday and argued for his release.
Yoon, who has been in custody since being apprehended Wednesday during a massive law enforcement operation at his residential complex, faces potential rebellion charges related to his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law , which started the country’s largest war. serious political crisis since its democratization at the end of the 1980s.
The Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Bureau, which is conducting a joint investigation with the police and military, can now extend his detention to 20 days, during which time it will forward the case to prosecutors for indictment.
Yoon’s lawyers could also file a motion to challenge the court’s arrest warrant.
Yoon’s appearance at the Seoul Western District Court sparked chaotic scenes in nearby streets, where thousands of his staunch supporters gathered for hours to demand his release. They confronted the police, who arrested around forty demonstrators, including around twenty who had climbed a fence to try to approach the court. At least two vehicles carrying anti-corruption investigators were damaged as they left the court after arguing for Yoon’s arrest.
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Yoon’s lawyers said he spoke for about 40 minutes to the judge during the nearly five-hour closed-door hearing. His legal team and anti-corruption agencies have presented opposing arguments over whether he should be detained. Lawyers did not share his specific comments.
The judge is expected to make his decision Saturday evening or early Sunday. Yoon’s motorcade was seen leaving the court Saturday evening to head to the detention center, where Yoon will await the decision.
Yoon was transported to court from a detention center in Uiwang, near Seoul, in a blue Justice Department van escorted by police and presidential security services.
The procession entered the court’s basement parking lot as thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered in nearby streets despite a heavy police presence. Some protesters broke through police lines and banged on the windows of his van as they approached the court. Yoon did not speak to reporters.
After its investigators were attacked by protesters, the anti-corruption agency asked the media to hide the faces of its members present at the hearing.
Until Saturday morning, it was unclear whether Yoon would choose to attend the hearing.
Defense lawyers met with Yoon at the detention center and he accepted his legal team’s advice to appear personally before the judge, said Yoon Kab-keun, one of the president’s lawyers. The lawyer said the president must argue that his decree was a legitimate exercise of his powers and that accusations of rebellion would not hold up in a criminal court or before the Constitutional Court, which is considering whether to formally dismiss him. from his functions or to reinstate him.
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Nine people, including Defense Minister Yoon, the police chief and several senior military commanders, have already been arrested and charged for their role in enforcing martial law.
The crisis began when Yoon, in an attempt to break the legislative deadlock, imposed military rule and sent troops to the National Assembly and electoral offices. The standoff lasted only hours after lawmakers who managed to overcome a blockade voted to lift the measure. The opposition-dominated assembly voted for his dismissal on December 14.
If Yoon is formally arrested, it could mark the start of a prolonged period of detention for him, potentially lasting months or longer.
If prosecutors charged Yoon with rebellion and abuse of power, allegations currently being examined by investigators, they could keep him in custody for up to six months before his trial.
Under South Korean law, organizing a rebellion is punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.
Yoon’s lawyers argued there was no need to detain him during the investigation, saying he did not pose a threat of leaking or destroying evidence.