A South Korean court has taken a significant step in a historic political saga, issuing an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol in connection with his controversial declaration of martial law. The Seoul Western District Court approved this warrant following a request from the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which is currently probing the president for allegations of insurrection and abuse of power.
This unprecedented legal action marks the first occasion in South Korea’s history that authorities have sought the detention of a sitting president. The severity of the situation is underscored by the gravity of the accusations Yoon faces, which could potentially lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty due to the implications of his martial law declaration on December 3. His actions have plunged the nation into a political crisis that many are calling the most significant in decades.
In a statement released by the Joint Investigation Headquarters—which comprises officials from various investigative bodies, including the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the Ministry of Defence—it was confirmed that both the arrest and search warrants were issued early on Tuesday morning. However, there remains uncertainty regarding when local authorities will attempt to execute the arrest, particularly as Yoon’s security personnel have previously obstructed attempts to serve search warrants at official residences.
Speculation among South Korean media suggests that an immediate arrest of Yoon is unlikely, as authorities may coordinate with the presidential security service to ensure a secure process. Yoon’s legal representative, Yun Gap-geun, quickly criticized the warrant, asserting that it is “illegal and invalid.” Meanwhile, Kwon Sung-dong, the floor leader of Yoon’s People’s Power Party, denounced the court’s decision, labeling it as “inappropriate.”
As the political situation intensifies, Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties since December 14, following a decisive impeachment vote in the National Assembly. Amid these unfolding events, the opposition-controlled legislature also moved to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, transferring powers to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok. This swift transition reflects the ongoing turbulence in South Korea’s leadership hierarchy.
In the context of this political crisis, the constitutional court now has a six-month period to deliberate on whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, a decision that could reshape South Korea’s political landscape significantly.
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