President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea was detained for questioning on criminal charges, becoming the first sitting leader in the country to face such action. The standoff ended with a deal struck between law enforcement officials and the president’s security guards, who had initially resisted the attempt to detain Yoon since Jan. 3.
Yoon will now face questioning regarding his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, an act that led to accusations of insurrection against him. The National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14, with the Constitutional Court deliberating on whether the impeachment was legitimate.
Police surrounded Yoon’s presidential compound on Wednesday, with investigators and officers carrying ladders to scale barricades. The president’s legal team negotiated with the authorities, eventually leading to Yoon voluntarily submitting himself for questioning.
The standoff on Wednesday was less tense than the previous attempt on Jan. 3, with no obvious resistance from Yoon’s security guards this time. The situation has gripped the nation, with fears of a violent clash if neither side backs down. Acting President Choi Sang-mok warned against violence, emphasizing the need to protect the country’s reputation.
The unfolding events have been closely monitored by the media and the public, with live coverage of the developments. Yoon’s decision to voluntarily submit to questioning marks a significant development in South Korean history, as it is the first time authorities have attempted to detain a sitting president.
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