Martial law, memes and mayhem: the rise and fall of South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol
Once a celebrated anti-corruption crusader, on Wednesday Yoon became South Korea’s first sitting president to be arrested
His justification for finally surrendering after weeks of dodging arrest attempts? To “prevent any unfortunate bloodshed” amid an hours-long stand-off between anti-corruption investigators and his presidential security detail. But the former prosecutor-turned-president also lashed out at the nation’s institutions, claiming “the rule of law has completely collapsed in this country”.
Yoon’s journey from a gritty prosecutor to a polarising president accused of authoritarianism is a tale of political ambition, scandal and a country divided.
His arrest comes amid a backdrop of a presidency marked by controversy: his wife’s alleged corruption, a botched response to a national tragedy, and a miscalculation so severe that it could end his political career halfway through his five-year term.
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South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol arrested after weeks-long stand-off
Rising political star
