Historic Arrest: South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol Detained
In a groundbreaking event for South Korea, President Yoon Seok-yeol has become the first sitting president to be arrested. On January 19, 2025, Chief Judge Cha Eun-kyung of the Seoul Western District Court issued a detention warrant for Yoon, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering following a pre-arrest interrogation regarding charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
Yoon is accused of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to incite a riot in the National Assembly on December 3, 2024. The allegations include declaring an unconstitutional state of emergency without any signs of a national crisis, issuing an illegal martial law proclamation that prohibited political activities in the National Assembly, and deploying military and police forces to block the Assembly and obstruct the vote to lift the emergency.
The period from the declaration of the emergency to Yoon's arrest has seen intense protests and rallies, with citizens both condemning and supporting the president. Among those voicing their opinions are notable figures from the entertainment industry, who have expressed their views despite not being directly involved.
Writer Heo Ji-woong sharply criticized the situation following Yoon's arrest, pointing out the presence of specific religious groups among the president's supporters during protests near the courthouse. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations into these affiliations.
He further elaborated on the political climate, stating, "The moment the ruling party embraced the far-right instead of seeking repentance and reform, the decline began. The far-right cannot be controlled once it enters the system; it will burn everything down until it becomes its own kindling."
Conversely, celebrities who previously opposed impeachment have shown their discontent. Singer JK Kim Dong-wook lamented, "The rule of law in South Korea has collapsed. Cry later, but be angry now," while actor Choi Jun-yong expressed strong support for Yoon, claiming that all actions taken against him were illegal.
Amidst the turmoil, MBC anchor Park So-young clarified her absence from any protests, addressing the spread of false information online that implicated her in the demonstrations. This clarification came after reports indicated that some of Yoon's supporters had threatened MBC reporters during the court proceedings.
President Yoon will remain in custody for up to 20 days while investigations continue, marking a significant moment in South Korean history.
