South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Sunday, becoming the first sitting leader in the country’s history to be detained. His arrest stems from allegations of insurrection following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3, which he rescinded hours later after a parliamentary vote rejected it. 

Yoon is being held in solitary confinement at the Seoul Detention Centre, with his detention extended for 20 days to prevent evidence tampering.

The decision to detain Yoon triggered chaos outside the Seoul Western District Court. Hundreds of his supporters stormed the building, smashing windows and furniture, and clashing with police. Riot police arrested 46 protesters, with nine officers and dozens of protesters injured during the incident.

4/ Pro-Yoon protesters breached the court at 3:21am, breaking through police lines and shattering entrance doors. Some searched for judge who issued warrant, while others vandalised court facilities and ripped off exterior walls. Some 40 people have reportedly been arrested. pic.twitter.com/5CEuGnhFdx

— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) January 18, 2025

Acting President Choi Sang-mok condemned the violence, calling it “unimaginable in a democratic society.” Meanwhile, anti-Yoon demonstrators gathered nearby, chanting for his continued detention.

Yoon’s arrest follows his impeachment by parliament on December 14, with the Constitutional Court now deciding whether to permanently remove him from office. If charged with insurrection, Yoon could face severe penalties, though South Korea has not enforced the death penalty in decades.

Yoon’s lawyers argue that the arrest is illegal due to jurisdictional issues and have vowed to fight the charges. The opposition Democratic Party has welcomed the arrest, calling it a step toward restoring order, while Yoon’s conservative People Power Party criticized it as politically motivated.