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A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol following allegations of abusing his power and inciting insurrection. The warrant was granted after Yoon failed to comply with three summonses for questioning regarding his controversial martial law declaration on December 3.
Yoon’s legal team has strongly criticized the warrant, describing it as “illegal and invalid,” and has vowed to challenge it in court.
South Korea has been plunged into political turmoil since the brief implementation of martial law. Both Yoon and his successor were impeached by the opposition-controlled parliament. Yoon now holds the distinction of being the first sitting president in South Korean history to face arrest.
Investigators have until January 6 to execute the warrant, though they can request an extension. However, carrying out the arrest may prove difficult due to potential interference from Yoon’s security team and his supporters.
Previously, the presidential security service blocked investigators from accessing both the presidential office and Yoon’s private residence, despite court approval for searches. South Korean authorities have, in the past, faced similar challenges in arresting high-profile politicians, often thwarted by physical resistance from aides and supporters.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, defended his client’s actions, arguing that declaring martial law falls within the constitutional authority of the president. He also stated that Yoon’s absence from earlier summonses was due to “legitimate concerns.”
Although Yoon has pledged to face his legal and political responsibilities, he remains defiant, vowing to “fight to the end.” His whereabouts are currently undisclosed, but he is prohibited from leaving the country.
Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties since December 14, following a parliamentary impeachment vote. However, his removal from office depends on the constitutional court’s decision.
The court’s nine-member bench currently has only six judges, meaning that a single dissenting vote could save Yoon from being ousted. Opposition lawmakers had attempted to improve their chances by proposing the appointment of three additional judges, but this was vetoed by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo last week.
The opposition subsequently impeached Han, who had been serving as acting leader in Yoon’s absence. They are now threatening to impeach Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who currently serves as both acting president and acting prime minister.
On Tuesday, Choi appointed two new judges to the constitutional court but stated that the nomination of a third judge would require bipartisan agreement between the opposition and governing parties.