South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday for imposing martial law in December, the official Yonhap news agency reported.
Police officers and staff from South Korea's anti-corruption office took Yoon from his residence on Wednesday morning to take him to the public prosecutor's office in their second attempt to do so, Yonhap reported.
The operation appeared to be peaceful despite serious security concerns.
The agency said the Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO), said the arrest warrant was executed at 10:33 am (0133 GMT).
This marks the first time in the country's history that a sitting president of South Korea has been arrested.
Yoon was seen entering the CIO headquarters for questioning. According to Yonhap, investigators would seek a warrant to formally arrest the president within 48 hours.
“Although it is an illegal investigation, I decided to agree to appear at the CIO to prevent ugly bloodshed,” Yoon said in a recorded video message released after he was sent to the arrest
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday postponed the first hearing in the impeachment proceedings against Yoon because he was not present. The 64-year-old man, through his lawyer, had stated that he was not present due to security concerns.
On December 3, Yoon briefly declared martial law during a budget dispute with the opposition.
In mid-December, lawmakers removed him from office pending further information on allegations of abuse of power and sedition, with the Constitutional Court currently reviewing the decision making.
Yoon has defended his decision by saying he had declared martial law to protect the country from “anti-state forces” – meaning his political opponents.
Currently, former finance minister and deputy prime minister Choi Sang Mok is in charge of state affairs.
Police officers gather in front of the official residence of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, after police and the anti-corruption agency began their second attempt to execute a warrant to detain Yoon in connection with his brief implementation of martial law. -/YNA/dpa
Police officers gather in front of the official residence of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, after police and the anti-corruption agency began their second attempt to execute a warrant to detain Yoon in connection with his brief implementation of martial law. -/YNA/dpa
