South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested on Sunday, sparking rioting by his supporters and raising concerns about the country’s democracy. The arrest came hours after a court order for his detention was issued, citing a threat that he could destroy evidence.
Yoon faces possible imprisonment over his short-lived imposition of martial law last month, which led to South Korea’s most serious political crisis since its democratization in the late 1980s. His lawyers say he remains defiant in refusing to answer questions about the probe into his declaration of martial law.
The arrest triggered unrest at a Seoul court, where dozens of Yoon’s supporters rioted, destroying property and vandalizing equipment. Hundreds of police officers were deployed, and nearly 90 protesters were arrested.
Yoon’s supporters continue to rally outside the Constitutional Court, which is holding separate deliberations on whether to formally remove him from office or reinstate him. The crisis began when Yoon imposed martial law in an attempt to break through legislative gridlock.
Yoon has claimed that his martial law decree was legitimate and “peaceful,” but his critics say it was an attempt to seize power. If prosecutors indict him, he could face up to six months in custody before trial.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party and the country’s acting leader have expressed concern about the rioting and called for stern punishment of those involved. The situation remains volatile, with Yoon’s lawyers urging his supporters to express their frustrations peacefully.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-martial-law-court-riot-rebellion-impeachment-f233ca2040d9c618bd5cbd9bf7e945ec