He is the first sitting Korean president to be arrested.
President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol he was officially arrested by the CIO (Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials).
This morning, the IOC officially served Yoon Suk Yeol with his arrest warrant and he was transported to the IOC headquarters to begin interrogation. The CIO arrived at Yoon Suk Yeol’s residence around 4:40 PM KST to prepare for his arrest. At 10:33 KST, the IOC served Yoon Suk Yeol with his arrest warrant and his motorcade began the short journey to the IOC headquarters.
Shortly after his arrest, Yoon Suk Yeol’s aides released a pre-recorded video message to his supporters. Below is the English transcript, provided by Korea JoongAng Daily.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who encouraged and supported me.
Unfortunately, the rule of law in this country has completely collapsed.
See warrants issued by agencies without investigative authority and courts without warrant review authority issue arrest warrants and raid warrants, and see investigative agencies issue false official documents to deceive people, commit such illegal acts, and proceed forcibly with procedures based on invalid warrants, I can’t help but feel sorry.
Even though I am experiencing such illegal acts and am at a disadvantage, I hope this does not happen to our citizens in the future when they face criminal cases.
Today I decided to show up at the IOC to avoid unpleasant bloodshed after seeing them invade the security zone with fire-fighting vehicles.
However, I do not approve of the IOC investigation. As the president who must protect the Constitution and legal system of the Republic of Korea, responding to such illegal and invalid procedures is not an acknowledgment or approval of the investigation, but rather a desire to avoid unpleasant bloodshed.
Seeing people, especially our young people, truly recognize the value of liberal democracy and show passion for it, I have come to think that, although the rule of law is crumbling and these are very dark times, the future of this country is full of hope.
Citizens, I wish you to remain healthy and strong.
— Yoon Suk Yeol
When not interrogated, Yoon Suk Yeol will be held at the Seoul Detention Center. Yoon Suk Yeol is the first sitting Korean president to be arrested.
