A South Korean court on Thursday issued a fresh arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, granting prosecutors the authority to forcibly bring him in for questioning after he repeatedly ignored summons.
The announcement was made by the special counsel investigating Yoon and his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who said in a statement: “An arrest warrant has been issued today for former President Yoon Suk Yeol.”
Yoon has remained at the center of South Korea’s deepening political crisis since December 3, when he attempted to subvert civilian rule by ordering troops into parliament to block a vote rejecting his controversial declaration of martial law.
In January, he became the first sitting South Korean president to be taken into custody, after weeks of defying arrest and deploying his presidential security detail to obstruct investigators. He was released on procedural grounds in March, though his insurrection trial remains ongoing.
Authorities re-detained him in early July amid fears he could tamper with or destroy evidence related to the case.
Prosecutors recently summoned Yoon for questioning over separate allegations of parliamentary election tampering, but he failed to appear, citing health concerns through his legal team. On Wednesday, prosecutors submitted a renewed request for his detention — now granted by the court.
With the new warrant in hand, prosecutors are authorized to enter Yoon’s current detention facility and compel his appearance for interrogation.
Meanwhile, legal troubles continue to grow for both Yoon and his wife. In a separate investigation, prosecutors are probing allegations that a shaman, Jeon Seong-bae, received a diamond necklace and a luxury designer handbag from a senior member of the Unification Church, which were allegedly passed on to Kim Keon Hee.
AFP
