Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached S. Korean President Yoon in Martial Law Investigation
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Seoul, Dec 31 (NationPress) A court in Seoul has granted a request from law enforcement officials to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol concerning his brief imposition of martial law, making him the first sitting South Korean President to potentially face arrest.
The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant against Yoon on allegations of masterminding the failed martial law declaration on December 3, orchestrating an insurrection, and abusing his power, as reported by sources.
Law enforcement in South Korea formally requested a court warrant on Monday to detain Yoon while they investigate whether his temporary martial law declaration constituted rebellion.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) filed the warrant after Yoon failed to respond to three summonses from the anti-corruption agency, which sought his appearance for questioning regarding the brief martial law, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The court warrant authorizes the CIO to detain Yoon for questioning within 48 hours and to apply for an arrest warrant.
However, there are uncertainties about whether the CIO can execute the warrant, as the Presidential Security Service has hindered investigators from accessing both the presidential office and Yoon's official residence for court-sanctioned searches, citing military security concerns.
Despite Yoon's presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, this protection does not extend to charges of insurrection or treason.
Yoon's legal team contends that the CIO lacks the jurisdiction to investigate insurrection, a matter that, in principle, falls under police authority, a framework altered during the previous administration.
Oh Dong-woon, the CIO chief, emphasized that, unlike search warrants, a court-issued detention or arrest warrant cannot be legally obstructed, not even by the President.
Yoon has been suspended from his duties following a vote by the Opposition-controlled National Assembly to impeach him on December 14 due to his martial law declaration, which lasted just six hours before being overturned by a parliamentary vote.
The Constitutional Court has initiated proceedings to deliberate whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him, with a ruling expected within 180 days from December 14.
Yoon's inability to provide evidence for his claims has sparked concerns that he may be promoting conspiracy theories on right-wing YouTube channels regarding alleged rigging in April's parliamentary elections, which the Democratic Party won decisively. The Election Commission dismissed Yoon's allegations, asserting that there was no basis for claims of election fraud.
