This marked the first time an incumbent president has faced such charges in the country’s history. Yoon stated he complied with what he described as an “illegal probe” to prevent potential “bloodshed.”

The arrest came on the heels of Yoon’s impeachment by lawmakers after his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. Since then, he has been residing in his hillside home, heavily guarded, to thwart previous attempts at arrest.

Faced with over 3,000 police officers surrounding his residence in the early hours of Wednesday, Yoon expressed his decision to cooperate with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to avoid violence.

“I decided to respond to the CIO’s investigation—despite it being an illegal investigation—to prevent unsavoury bloodshed,” he stated.

Following his arrest, Yoon was transported in a motorcade to the CIO offices. Authorities now have a 48-hour window to question him before needing to secure a warrant for his detention, which can last up to 20 days.

Yoon’s legal team contends that the arrest warrant is invalid, claiming it was issued by a court lacking jurisdiction and that the investigative team had no legal authority to pursue the case.

The political landscape in South Korea has been tumultuous since Yoon’s martial law declaration, which sent shockwaves through the nation and its economy.

Lawmakers voted to impeach him on December 14, and the Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether to uphold the impeachment or restore his presidential powers.

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