South Korea's Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested, Supporters Riot Amid Martial Law Probe

South Korea's Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested, Supporters Riot

Following his formal arrest on Sunday, South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol remains defiant, refusing to answer questions related to the investigation into his declaration of martial law last month. This declaration sparked the country's most serious political crisis since its democratization in the late 1980s.

Yoon's arrest triggered unrest at the Seoul Western District Court, where dozens of his supporters rioted, causing significant damage. Hundreds of police officers were deployed, resulting in the arrest of nearly 90 protesters. Yoon, through his lawyers, expressed his disappointment with the court's decision and urged his supporters to express their frustrations peacefully.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Yoon's supporters continued to clash with police outside the Constitutional Court, which is currently deliberating whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. The court remains barricaded by police.

Investigators are examining whether Yoon's martial law decree amounted to an attempted rebellion. While South Korean presidents have immunity from prosecution while in office, this protection does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

Yoon's defense minister, police chief, and several top military commanders have already been arrested and indicted for their roles in enforcing martial law. The crisis began when Yoon, in an attempt to break through legislative gridlock, imposed military rule and sent troops to the National Assembly and election offices. This standoff lasted only hours before lawmakers voted to lift the measure. The opposition-dominated assembly then voted to impeach him on December 14th, leaving his political fate in the hands of the Constitutional Court.

Yoon and his lawyers have claimed that the martial law declaration was intended as a temporary and "peaceful" warning to the liberal opposition, which he accuses of obstructing his agenda. However, military commanders have described a deliberate attempt to seize the legislature that was thwarted by civilians, legislative staff, and the troops' reluctance to follow Yoon's orders.

If prosecutors indict Yoon on rebellion and abuse of power charges, he could be kept in custody for up to six months before trial. If convicted and sentenced to prison, he would serve that sentence while the case moves through the court system. Under South Korean law, orchestrating a rebellion is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty.