Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest has caused divisions in South Korea

On Wednesday, he released a video statement saying he would cooperate with the Corruption Investigations Office (CIO) to prevent “bloodshed”, while admitting that his arrest warrant was not legally valid.

It was a massive operation, which followed a warning from the CIO that the president’s security team could also be arrested if they tried to thwart Yoon’s arrest again. Unlike in the past, the CIO and the police succeeded in detaining Yoon, although it took several hours to negotiate.

Once he left the presidential complex, the surrounding streets began to empty. The protesters dispersed and the police barricades were removed.

Some of Yoon’s supporters moved to the CIO’s office where he was questioned. They need another warrant to hold him for more than 48 hours.

While Yoon’s arrest has brought security concerns to a close, it has not ended the rift that exists beyond that in South Korea, which in recent decades has emerged as a leading global economy and a beacon of democracy in Asia.

“Arresting the leader of the country doesn’t even make sense,” said one protester outside the presidential complex.

An opposing voice countered: “Executing the arrest warrant is a necessary step – Yoon is trying to destroy our country’s democracy.”