South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol was officially arrested early Sunday after being detained at the presidential palace in Seoul for several days. The Seoul Western District Court, after hours of hearings, granted the warrant to arrest Yoon on the grounds that he might destroy evidence, the Associated Press reported.
The official arrest is the first step in a detention that could last months or longer. He faces a prison sentence for his role in last month’s declaration of martial law.
A joint investigation team led by the High-Level Corruption Investigation Bureau and involving the police and military could detain Yoon for another 20 days, during which time he must be handed over to prosecutors for further investigation. Yoon’s lawyers may file a motion to quash the court’s arrest warrant.
The decision to formally arrest Yoon sparked a riot in front of the courthouse, with supporters smashing the main door and windows of the courthouse.
Protesters used plastic chairs and police shields stolen from police officers. Some even reached the courthouse corridor, where they were seen throwing objects and using fire extinguishers.
Hundreds of security forces were deployed to the courthouse to quell the riots. Dozens of people were arrested, and some injured police officers were seen being treated in ambulances. It was not immediately known whether any court staff were injured.
