A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached and suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief attempt to impose martial law, investigators confirmed on Tuesday.
This development follows Yoon’s controversial suspension of civilian rule on December 3, which plunged the country into its most severe political crisis in decades.
Yoon, who was stripped of his presidential duties by parliament, awaits a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether his impeachment will be upheld. The arrest warrant, along with a search warrant, was issued by the Joint Investigation Headquarters this morning.
The conservative leader faces charges of insurrection, which could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Investigators requested the warrant after Yoon failed to appear for questioning for a third time. Authorities expressed concerns that he might continue to defy summonses without valid reasons.
“There is sufficient probable cause to suspect the commission of a crime,” said an official from the Corruption Investigation Office, adding that Yoon is likely to be detained at the Seoul detention center if arrested. The warrant is valid until January 6.
Yoon’s legal team has called the arrest and search warrants “illegal and invalid,” arguing that investigators lack the authority to probe a sitting president. Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, insisted his client was not guilty of insurrection, and had no intent to disrupt the constitutional order or incite an uprising.
In a further escalation, investigators raided the military’s Counterintelligence Command offices on Tuesday, indicting two senior commanders on charges related to insurrection and abuse of authority.
Meanwhile, supporters of Yoon gathered outside his residence, waving South Korean flags and chanting slogans such as, “Martial law legal! Impeachment invalid!” Police presence in the area was substantial, with authorities urging protesters to remain orderly. One protest leader announced plans for 3,000 people to rally against what they termed the “unfair and invalid” arrest warrant.
Although the arrest warrant has been issued, it remains uncertain whether it will be executed immediately. The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has previously defied multiple search warrants, but legal experts suggest the arrest could proceed smoothly despite potential resistance.
Yoon is under investigation by a joint task force comprising prosecutors, police, the defense ministry, and anti-corruption officials. A report from the prosecutors revealed that Yoon authorized the military to use force, including firing weapons, to enter parliament during his failed martial law bid. The report also claimed Yoon had discussed the possibility of declaring martial law with senior military figures as early as March.
In the wake of Yoon’s suspension, South Korea’s political turmoil has intensified. His replacement, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, was also impeached by parliament for failing to sign investigation bills related to Yoon. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president amid the crisis, which further deepened with a tragic plane crash on Sunday, claiming 179 lives.
AFP
