South Korea: Investigators Prepare to Request Arrest Warrant for Yoon Over Martial Law Attempt
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Synopsis
On January 17, the South Korean anti-corruption agency announced its readiness to file an arrest warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol concerning his martial law case. The CIO's move follows Yoon's refusal to comply with questioning, leading to his ongoing detention amidst protests by supporters.
Key Takeaways
- Yoon Suk Yeol faces an arrest warrant due to his martial law declaration.
- The CIO is expected to submit the warrant to the Seoul Western District Court.
- Yoon has been detained since Wednesday after over 10 hours of questioning.
- His legal team has challenged the detention but was denied.
- Protests continue outside the court as supporters gather in his defense.
Seoul, Jan 17 (NationPress) The South Korean anti-corruption agency investigating the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law case is almost prepared to file an arrest warrant, an official reported on Friday.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is highly expected to submit the warrant to the Seoul Western District Court, as indicated by the CIO official during a press briefing, ahead of a 48-hour deadline that is set to expire Friday night.
This decision by the CIO follows President Yoon's refusal to attend questioning regarding his failed martial law attempt for the third consecutive day.
The CIO had summoned him to appear for further questioning at 10 a.m. after he missed the previous day's session, citing health concerns.
Seok Dong-hyeon, Yoon's lawyer and close associate, informed the Yonhap News Agency, saying, “The president will not appear at the CIO today.” He added, “He has clearly stated his position during the CIO's questioning on the first day and sees no reason to engage in a question-and-answer format.”
President Yoon has been in a detention center since Wednesday night, following his apprehension at his home and subsequent transport to the CIO office in Gwacheon, located just south of Seoul, where he faced over 10 hours of questioning.
He submitted a request to the Seoul Central District Court for a review of the legality of his detention, but the court denied the request on Thursday night, resulting in his continued custody, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
Earlier that day, Yoon's supporters held overnight demonstrations outside the Seoul Western District Court in anticipation of the warrant filing.
Supporters gathered late Thursday, forming a human chain to obstruct the investigators from delivering warrant documents to the court.
A man in his 20s was taken into custody after confronting a court employee.
When police prevented the demonstrators from congregating at the court, they relocated to a nearby park to continue their protest.
In related news, police initiated an investigation to identify the author of an online threat to kill a justice from the Seoul Central District Court, who denied Yoon's petition regarding his detention's legality, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials aims to file the arrest warrant before the 48-hour deadline concludes Friday night.
The Seoul court also declined Yoon Suk Yeol's petition contesting his detention amidst the ongoing inquiry into his unsuccessful martial law declaration, maintaining his custody one day after his arrest for questioning.
This ruling by the Seoul Central District Court occurred after Yoon's legal team submitted a petition seeking to assess the legality of his detention.
Investigators detained Yoon after he disregarded three summonses for questioning regarding his December 3 martial law declaration.
The court's decision on Thursday dismissed claims from Yoon's side asserting that the detention warrant issued by the Seoul Western District Court was invalid.
