Kuwait City: South Korean investigators began questioning impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday regarding his imposition of martial law, following his detention earlier in the day, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) stated as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Yoon was brought to the CIO's office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, shortly after investigators detained him at his central Seoul residence.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the interrogation commenced at 11 a.m. in a video recording interrogation room. Lee Jae-seung, the deputy chief of the CIO, is conducting the questioning with Yoon's legal representatives present. The investigation is focusing on insurrection charges related to Yoon's martial law decree on December 3, and a warrant to formally arrest him may be sought within 48 hours.
The detention of President Yoon marks the first time a sitting president has been arrested in South Korea. He was taken into custody following his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14, facing charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Yoon is alleged to have sent troops to the National Assembly after declaring martial law to prevent lawmakers from voting against the decree.
Yoon is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, near the CIO's office, for further questioning. Despite the charges, Yoon has defended his actions, describing the martial law declaration as an "act of governance" intended to warn the main opposition Democratic Party against what he considered an abuse of legislative power.
In a video message recorded after his arrest, Yoon expressed defiance, stating, "Although it is an illegal investigation, I decided to agree to appear at the CIO in order to prevent ugly bloodshed." His arrest came after extensive negotiations between investigators and Yoon's team at his residence. Approximately 3,000 police officers were deployed to secure the area, leading to physical clashes between investigators and Yoon's supporters.