The president of South Korea was arrested and brought to the corruption commission for questioning. This time, the police mobilized more forces and the president’s supporters surrendered. Impeachment proceedings against the president are ongoing after he unexpectedly imposed martial law in the country in December.
After several hours of standoff, the deposed president of South Korea was arrested. Previously, Jung Suk Jol managed to record his speech to the nation. – When I saw them crossing the security zone using fire extinguishers, I decided to appear before the corruption commission. I believe that this investigation is illegal, but I want to avoid bloodshed, he said.
The first attempt to arrest the president was made at the beginning of this year, but his security made it impossible. Now the service was better prepared. Several thousand officers participated in the operation to arrest the head of state.
SEE ALSO: There is a warrant for the president’s arrest and to search his residence. For the first time in history
– We witnessed a historical moment. For the first time, the current president of South Korea was arrested and taken for questioning. The president’s supporters spent the night here and wanted to show him that despite the declaration of martial law, they support him and his conservative policies, CNN’s Mike Valerio said.
Barricades and barbed wire surround the residence of Jung Suk Jeol, South Korea
Thousands of supporters in front of the president’s house
Joon Suk Jool is taken to the headquarters of the corruption bureau, where he has 48 hours to interrogate him. The politician refuses to testify. Investigators can apply to the court to detain the president for a maximum of 20 days. In case of defying the sentence, Jun Suk Jool will be released and returned to his home where thousands of his supporters have gathered.
“I believe the president should be removed from office, but when I saw his face on TV, I suddenly felt for the citizens of our country,” said Lee Young-seok, a resident of Seoul. – Even though I am almost 70 years old, I will never allow our country to be handed over to the opposition, says Kim Wook Hee, a resident of the capital.
READ MORE: Six hours of martial law. What was going on in South Korea?
The president has been accused of sedition and abuse of power in connection with the imposition of martial law in December, which was lifted within hours after pressure from parliament and public opinion. Jun has repeatedly defended his decision, saying that by declaring martial law he was trying to protect democracy from North Korean allies.
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They believe that he staged a coup
Opponents claim that Jung Suk-Jol staged a coup. – We must protect our constitution, our democracy from its enemies and save our country, – says Chung Chung-Ra from the Democratic Party.
Several high-ranking officials, including military commanders and a former defense minister, have been arrested due to the imposition of martial law, which has led to a political crisis in South Korea. According to the investigators, the declaration of martial law by the president is equivalent to an attempt to end the rebellion. This is a crime that can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
– I am sure that the court will accept the request and the president will be removed from office and charged with a crime. I think he will almost certainly be in jail too. I find it hard to believe in his political resurgence, comments Jeremy Chan of Eurasia Group.
In mid-December, the president was suspended from his duties as head of state after the parliament voted to impeach him. Now the Constitutional Court has to decide whether to confirm his dismissal or reinstate him.
The first hearing was held on Tuesday, but it lasted only four minutes because – as with martial law trials – the president did not show respect for the court by his presence.
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Main photo source: PAP/EPA/LEE JONG-KEUN/POOL KOREA
