South Korea's Yoon: Embittered survivor becomes first sitting president arrested


South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), in Gwacheon, South Korea, January 15, 2025. KOREA POOL/Pool via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) -Yoon Suk Yeol became the first incumbent South Korean president to be arrested when he finally backed down on Wednesday in a weeks-long standoff with authorities investigating him over alleged insurrection. A tough political survivor who became increasingly isolated halfway through his five-year term, Yoon, 64, has been dogged by personal scandals, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party.

His legal peril stands in contrast to his storied career before politics as a top prosecutor, which launched him into the public eye and sparked much of the support that lead to his victory in the 2022 presidential election, his first elected office.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries damaged by Ukrainian drones, official says
Bus falls into river while boarding ferry in Bangladesh, leaving 24 dead
Analysis-Maduro case to test US narcoterrorism law with limited trial success
Panel wants prosecution of ousted Nepal PM over violence in Gen Z protests
Indonesia military officer steps down following acid attack on activist
Tehran rejects US claims of ‘ongoing, productive’ negotiations
Russian attacks kill two in Ukraine's Kharkiv, damage infrastructure on the Danube
Democrats, Republicans trade blame as major U.S. airports continue to see hours-long security lines
U.S. stocks finish higher on reports over Middle East
From the Frontline: Shattered life inside a forgotten train carriage

Others Also Read