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South Korean Police Raid Presidential Office Following Martial Law Controversy

Seoul, January 20, 2025 – The Europe Today: South Korean police conducted a raid on the presidential office on Monday in a bid to secure critical documents related to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law in December, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The raid is part of an ongoing investigation into the president’s handling of the martial law declaration, which has sparked significant political and legal ramifications. The authorities are reportedly focusing on acquiring documentation to understand the full scope of the presidential decision and its subsequent implications.

In an unprecedented move, President Yoon, South Korea’s first sitting president to face arrest, was formally detained following a court-issued warrant on Sunday. He was moved to a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center, located in Uiwang, south of Seoul, the following day. The cell, typically designed for five or six individuals, measures 12 square meters and is similar to those where past South Korean presidents have been held during legal proceedings.

Shin Yong-hae, commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service, confirmed the transfer, noting that the move came after a decision by the Seoul Western District Court to extend the president’s detention in connection with his failed martial law attempt last month.

The developments mark a significant moment in South Korean political history, as President Yoon becomes the first incumbent president to be formally arrested. The arrest follows a contentious period surrounding his martial law declaration, which has been widely criticized as mishandled and legally questionable.