South Korea, (deposed) president Yoon arrested. The opposition rejoices

The deposed president of South Korea, the conservative Yoon Suk-Yeol, was arrested for the attempted coup d’état on December 3: this was announced by the anti-corruption agency (CIO), a few hours after the raid of hundreds of agents on his residence. Although he was suspended from office due to impeachment proceedings, the 64-year-old former national chief prosecutor is the first sitting president to end up in handcuffs in the history of South Korea.
“The rule of law in South Korea has completely collapsed,” Yoon commented in a three-minute video message released after his arrest in which he explained that the investigation against him “is illegal” but that he did not want to oppose the arrest to avoid “a disgusting bloodbath“. A motorcade escorted the leader of the People’s Power Party to the IOC offices for questioning.
Initially, the lawyers made it known that the deposed president had agreed to appear spontaneously before the judges but in the end he was arrested anyway. It was the second attempt to arrest Yoon in connection with the impeachment over the imposition of martial law, following one last month.
The raid on Yoon’s residence came after the South Korean Constitutional Court began examining his residence dismissal for the failed attempt to introduce martial law without the deposed president appearing at the hearing. The Court has until mid-June to confirm or annul the motion approved on December 14 by the National Assembly, which led to Yoon’s suspension. Yoon’s lawyers had cited “safety concerns” for his absence in the courtroom. The next hearings have been set for tomorrow, January 21st and 23rd, and February 4th.
For the South Korean Democratic Party, the main opposition force, the arrest of the deposed president Yoon Suk-Yeol “is the first step towards restoring constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law”. “Although late, it is indeed good that it can be confirmed that public authority and justice in South Korea are still alive,” group leader Park Chan-dae said at a party meeting. Opposition demonstrations have been taking place regularly in South Korea for more than a month calling for the president’s arrest and resignation.

Yoon uses the right not to respond

Yoon Suk Yeol, the South Korean president stopped by the police after a raid on his residence, made use of his right not to respond. Sources from the Anti-Corruption Investigation Office reported this.
Yoon, the first sitting South Korean head of state to be arrested, is “exercising his right to remain silent,” an official told reporters.
The president – who was suspended from his duties following the opening of impeachment proceedings – faces charges for attempting to impose martial law in early December.