Yoon Suk Yeol becomes first sitting president of S. Korea to be arrested

For the first time in the nation's history, a sitting South Korean president was arrested and taken in for questioning.

It took just over 40 days for President Yoon to be arrested as part of the investigation into his martial law declaration.

Bae Eun-ji reports.

At around 10:30 AM, President Yoon was arrested at his presidential residence in central Seoul, marking a historic moment in South Korea's political landscape.

He was arrested after a 7-hour standoff, with the operation to arrest him beginning in the early morning hours of Wednesday, at around 3:20 AM.

This came 43 days after Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3rd making him the first sitting president to become arrested in South Korea's history.

This was the second time that the anti-corruption investigators tried to arrest President Yoon, but unlike the first arrest attempt two weeks ago, Wednesday's attempt succeeded without any physical encounters.

It was carried out rather peacefully, as the presidential bodyguards showed almost no resistance.

Investigators passed through defense lines in the residence by using ladders to go over the buses that were parked as barricades and the team managed to secure entry without any major incidents.

But, the 64-year-old leader, who has repeatedly said his arrest warrant is not legally valid, did not admit that he was "arrested."

Rather, he said in a video message on Wednesday that he agreed to cooperate with anti-corruption authorities to prevent "bloodshed," adding that the rule of law has "completely collapsed" after his detention.

"To prevent any unfortunate bloodshed, I have decided to appear before the CIO, even though this investigation is illegal."

On social media, he posted another defiant message a hand-written letter insisting once again, that the imposition of martial law is not a crime, and that it's only an exercise of presidential authority to overcome a national crisis.

Throughout Wednesday, thousands of Koreans protested for, and against the president.

Angry supporters of President Yoon rallied overnight, holding up signs that said they would fight with the president.

Around 30 of them even laid down on the roads, and some were seen crying.

SOV: "We will protect him!"

Meanwhile, those against Yoon also came out to protest.

SOV: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!"

After the impeached leader was arrested, anti-Yoon protesters cheered, while Yoon's supporters were seen crying and wailing.

Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.