SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 15: Investigators arrive at the entrance of President Yoon Seok-yeol's official residence as authorities attempt to execute an arrest warrant on January 15, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea.
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South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was reportedly arrested by the country's Office of Corruption Investigation of Senior Officials, the first arrest of a sitting South Korean leader.
This is the second failed attempt to arrest the impeached president after agents from South Korea's Presidential Security Bureau prevented investigators from entering Yoon's official residence on January 3.
According to Yonhap News Agency, about 3,000 police officers were involved in the second attempt to enter Yoon's residence.
South Korean media also reported that Yoon said in a prerecorded video that "national laws have collapsed" and called the CIO's investigation "illegal." Yoon said he would attend the chief information officer's hearing to "prevent unpleasant bloodshed," according to a Korean report translated by Google.
South Korea's stock market reacted mutedly to the news, with blue-chip stocks Cospi KOSDAQ small-cap stocks rose 0.21% and fell 0.44%.
The South Korean won weakened slightly against the U.S. dollar, last trading at 1,459.75. South Korea's 10-year benchmark bond yield also rose.
The CIO initially applied for an arrest warrant after Yoon failed to appear for questioning, which was granted by the Seoul District Court on December 31. The warrant initially expired on January 6 and was later extended.
Yoon faces rebellion charges after declaring martial law on Dec. 3, which is not subject to presidential immunity and carries a maximum penalty of death.
Yoon made a surprise late-night broadcast last month and declared martial law, citing the need to protect the country from "North Korean communist forces" and "anti-national forces." This is the first time in more than 40 years that South Korea has declared martial law.
Lawmakers subsequently managed to get past police barricades and vote down the statement in the country's parliament, days before an impeachment motion was filed against Yoon. Yin was impeached and suspended from office on December 14.
South Korea's Constitutional Court began the impeachment trial of Yoon on January 14, but postponed the trial to January 16 because Yoon did not appear in court.