Photo credit: Yoon Suk Yeol

Investigators have detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence on Wednesday morning. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) executed the warrant at 10:33 a.m., marking a historic moment as Yoon became the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested.

A convoy whisked Yoon away from the presidential residence in central Seoul, heading straight to the CIO office in Gwacheon. Cameras caught him stepping out of the car, walking into the office where he would face questioning over his controversial imposition of martial law—a move that led to his impeachment on December 14.

Yoon’s bold declaration of martial law on December 3, aimed at preventing lawmakers from voting down his decree, now has him facing charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Following the interrogation, he's expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang.

In a defiant recorded message released after his arrest, Yoon doubled down on his actions, describing the investigation as "illegal" but justifying his appearance at the CIO to "prevent ugly bloodshed." His words signal a man not backing down, even as he faces the most serious allegations of his political career.

This second attempt to take Yoon into custody played out more smoothly than the first. Earlier this month, a standoff with his security staff had thwarted investigators. This time, ladders were used to gain entry after the Presidential Security Service (PSS) set up a barricade, but the scene lacked the intense physical clashes seen previously.

Despite his legal team's protests, and a tense standoff involving police and Yoon’s supporters, the investigators prevailed. Yoon's detention is a dramatic chapter in a saga that has gripped the nation and left many wondering about the future of South Korean politics.

As the investigation unfolds, the country watches closely, aware that this moment is more than just a legal battle—it's a pivotal point in South Korea's democratic journey.