South Korean authorities have arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces charges of insurrection following an attempt to impose martial law
Yoon is now at the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) – he said he agreed to the interrogation “even though it is an illegal investigation, in order to prevent any unsavoury bloodshed”
Authorities served the warrant after an hours-long standoff with his security staff and supporters, which saw investigators using ladders and wirecutters to enter Yoon’s residence
Yoon had been holed up for weeks – investigators tried to arrest him earlier this month but failed
This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has been arrested
Yoon’s impeachment trial, which will decide if he is removed from office, started yesterday but ended within four minutes because of his absence
Investigators can now hold Yoon for up to 48 hours.
He may be questioned, but has the right to remain silent. Yoon, who has decried the arrest as illegal, is likely to exercise this right.
During this 48 hours, investigators may also request a detention warrant, which would allow Yoon to be detained and questioned for up to 20 days. This warrant has to be approved by the court.
While South Korea remains locked in political turmoil, Chinese residents in the country have found themselves a talking point among Yoon’s allies.
The ruling People Power Party lawmakers have claimed that ethnic Chinese people are supporting Yoon’s impeachment and attending anti-Yoon rallies.
In response, China has decried these claims and warned its citizens in South Korea to stay away from political gatherings.
“Some politicians from the ruling party are inflating Chinese involvement to deflect domestic attention and pressure from President Yoon’s impeachment,” said Chinese state newspaper the Global Times.
South Korean politics has long been divided in its attitudes towards communist powers
The PPP is seen to take a more hawkish stance on communist powers like China and North Korea , while the Democratic Party is said to take a more pragmatic approach of balancing Chinese and US influence.
Credit: BBC
