South Korean President Yoon arrested under martial law: NPR

SEOUL, South Korea — Impeached South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was formally arrested early Sunday morning, days after he was arrested at the presidential palace in Seoul. He could be jailed following last month’s ill-fated declaration of martial law.

Yun’s arrest could mark the beginning of a lengthy period of detention lasting several months or more.

The decision to arrest Yoon led to a riot at the Seoul Western District Court, with dozens of Yoon’s supporters smashing the front door and windows of the courtroom. Using plastic chairs and police shields, they managed to wrest him away from the officers. They were also seen entering the hallway, throwing things and using a fire extinguisher.

Hundreds of police officers were called in to quell the riot at the courthouse. Dozens of people were arrested at the scene, and several injured police officers were seen being treated in ambulances. It was not immediately clear whether any court personnel were injured.

After an hour of deliberations, the court deemed Yoon a threat to destroy evidence and granted law enforcement’s request for an arrest warrant. Yun and his lawyers appeared before a judge Saturday during a hearing to argue for his release.

Yun, who has been in custody since his arrest Wednesday in a large-scale law enforcement operation on the premises of his home, faces sedition charges related to the Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. This martial law triggered the most serious political crisis since the beginning of national security. Democratization in the late 1980s.

The High-level Corruption Investigation Service, which is leading a joint investigation between the police and military, was able to extend Yoon’s detention for 20 days, during which time it plans to transfer the case to the prosecutor’s office for prosecution.

Mr. Yoon’s lawyer may file an objection to the court’s arrest warrant.

Mr. Yun’s court appearance caused chaos in nearby streets, where thousands of enthusiastic supporters rallied for hours to demand his release. Even before the court issued a warrant for Yun’s arrest, demonstrators repeatedly clashed with police and detained dozens of people, including about 20 who climbed over the fence to get to the courthouse. After insisting on Yoon’s arrest, at least two vehicles carrying corruption investigators were damaged as they left the courtroom.

Yun’s lawyers said he spoke with the judge for about 40 minutes during a nearly five-hour closed-door hearing on Saturday. His legal team and anti-corruption authorities argued against whether he should be detained. Lawyers did not specify his specific comments.

After the hearing, Mr. Yoon was returned to the detention center to await sentencing. Neither Yun nor his lawyer immediately commented on the arrest warrant.

Chaotic scene outside court

Mr. Yoon was transported from a detention center in Uiwang, near Seoul, to the court in a blue Ministry of Justice van, accompanied by police and members of the Presidential Security Bureau, to attend a court hearing prior to the warrant decision.

Despite a heavy police presence, the motorcade entered the courthouse’s underground parking lot as thousands of Yoon’s supporters gathered in nearby streets. Some demonstrators broke through police lines and banged on the windows of his van as it approached the courtroom. Yun did not speak to reporters.

The anti-corruption agency asked news organizations to hide the faces of its members who attended public hearings after its investigators were attacked by protesters late Saturday.

Yun insists martial law was justified

One of the president’s lawyers, Yun Kapgun, said the president plans to argue to the judge that the executive order was a legitimate exercise of authority and that charges of sedition would not hold up in criminal or constitutional courts. Ta. The company is considering whether to formally dismiss him or reinstate him.

Mr. Yun’s defense minister, police chief, and several military officials have already been arrested and charged for their roles in enforcing martial law.

The crisis began when Yoon imposed military rule and dispatched troops to the National Assembly and election offices in an attempt to break the legislative deadlock. The stalemate lasted just hours after lawmakers who managed to break through the blockade voted in favor of lifting the bill. The opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach him on December 14.

If prosecutors indict Yoon on charges of sedition and abuse of power, he could be detained for up to six months pending trial on charges currently being investigated by investigative authorities.

Under South Korean law, orchestrating a rebellion is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Yun’s lawyer argued that there was no need for him to be detained during the investigation, saying there was no risk that he would flee or destroy evidence.

Investigators say Yoon ignored several requests to appear for questioning, and on January 3, the Presidential Security Bureau thwarted an attempt to detain him. Mr. Yoon’s defiant stance has raised concerns about whether he will submit to criminal justice if he is not arrested.