Law enforcement authorities arrested South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in a rebellion case at 10:33 a.m. local time, the High-Level Anti-Corruption Investigation Division announced.
This was the second attempt to detain him.
He is suspected of organizing the rebellion as the leader of the conspirators. The president declared martial law in early December 2024, which he lifted a few hours later. Turbulent events followed, and the head of state was removed from his leading post after a complicated impeachment procedure.
Before it became clear that he had finally been arrested, his lawyer announced that he planned to voluntarily appear at the office of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Service for High-ranking Officials, the Seoul newspaper Shinmun reported.
Investigators failed to arrest Yun earlier this month after hours of trying to overcome security at his residence, where Yun had been hiding since the National Assembly removed him from office on December 14, BTA reported.
A court in Seoul earlier issued the warrants against Yun after he failed to appear after three summonses for questioning in connection with his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3.
After they expired, the warrants were extended last week to 21 January.