International
Impeached South Korean President Faces Arrest Warrant Over Martial Law Declaration
South Korea requests an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol over martial law and insurrection charges.
Yoon’s martial law declaration triggered a major political crisis, with clashes in the National Assembly.
The Constitutional Court is set to decide Yoon’s fate after his impeachment, with proceedings ongoing.
South Korean authorities have requested an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol over his brief declaration of martial law.
On Monday, South Korea’s Joint Investigation Headquarters confirmed it had sought Yoon’s arrest on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. The investigative team, which includes officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police, and the Ministry of Defence, made the request after Yoon ignored three summons to appear for questioning.
A court will now decide whether to issue the arrest warrant, marking a potential first in South Korean history. While sitting presidents in South Korea are generally immune from prosecution, they can still face legal consequences for rebellion or treason.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, told Yonhap News Agency that the CIO was exceeding its authority, and he vowed to take “formal steps” in response.
Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3 shocked the nation, plunging South Korea into its most significant political crisis in decades. The declaration led to armed troops storming the National Assembly and clashes with lawmakers, recalling memories of the country’s past military dictatorships. The martial law lasted about six hours before being lifted after lawmakers unanimously voted to remove it.
Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14, is facing criminal charges of insurrection, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. He defends his decision to declare martial law, calling it a legal response to threats from “anti-state forces” and opposition obstruction.
The political crisis deepened on Friday when the opposition-controlled legislature also voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo. This action transferred presidential authority to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.
The legislature’s decision came after Han refused to appoint three justices to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating Yoon’s impeachment. The court has up to six months to rule on whether Yoon will be removed or restored to the presidency.
At a hearing on Friday, the court denied Yoon’s lawyers’ request to delay proceedings to allow more time for his defence.
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