South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, marking the first time a sitting president has been arrested. This was the second attempt after his security staff blocked investigators on January 3rd. Around 3,000 police officers were involved this time, and there were no significant physical clashes.
Yoon faces insurrection charges following his December 3rd declaration of martial law, which carries the death penalty. He was impeached on December 14th, and his impeachment trial began on January 14th but was adjourned after he did not appear.
South Korean stocks reacted slightly, with the Kospi up 0.21% and the Kosdaq down 0.44%. The won weakened against the U.S. dollar, and the yield on 10-year South Korean bonds rose.