Police storms South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's house to arrest him after martial law bid - see pics

On January 15, 2025, South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was detained by law enforcement after weeks of defying a warrant for questioning. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials led a raid at the presidential compound, following a previous failed attempt. (Photo credit: AP)

Yoon had resisted efforts to question him regarding his December martial law declaration. Before his detention, he argued that the “rule of law” had collapsed in South Korea. His lawyers attempted to stop the detention by claiming he would voluntarily cooperate, but the authorities chose to move forward with their efforts. (Photo credit: AP)

During the first attempt to detain Yoon, law enforcement faced significant resistance. The presidential security service created obstacles, including blocking gates and barricading roads with buses. Officers had to climb over these barriers to access the compound, underlining the tense standoff between the authorities and Yoon’s security forces. (Photo credit: AP)

Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, was a key event that sparked his impeachment. He justified the declaration, citing a need to maintain control against an opposition-led legislative effort to obstruct his agenda. The martial law lasted only hours but triggered intense scrutiny and legal battles. (Photo credit: AP)

The anti-corruption agency is investigating whether Yoon’s imposition of martial law constituted an attempt to incite rebellion. The investigation is a joint effort involving the police and military, who are examining if Yoon overstepped his powers in declaring martial law to suppress political opposition. (Photo credit: AP)

Tensions escalated when the presidential security service, tasked with protecting Yoon, obstructed the law enforcement officers’ efforts. The security service used barricades and physical resistance, complicating the execution of the court’s detainment warrant. (Photo credit: AP)

As law enforcement prepared for the detainment operation, the political climate became highly polarized. Yoon’s supporters and critics held competing protests around the residence. Supporters called for his protection, while opponents demanded his imprisonment. (Photo credit: AP)

South Korea’s National Police Agency ramped up its preparations, with thousands of officers deployed to ensure the successful execution of the warrant. Officials also warned that any obstruction by Yoon’s bodyguards could lead to arrests, signaling the high stakes of the operation. (Photo credit: AP)