An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol by a court in Seoul. The warrant is based on charges of abuse of power and incitement to rebellion, following a brief period of martial law declared by Yoon, reports Yonhap news agency.
Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to face such a warrant. Although the parliament recently voted for his impeachment, Yoon remains in office pending a decision by the Constitutional Court on whether to confirm or reject the impeachment.
According to Yoon’s lawyer, the court’s decision is “illegal” and only the Constitutional Court can address this matter. The warrant mandates Yoon’s arrest within 48 hours.
While presidents typically have immunity from criminal prosecution, this does not include charges related to rebellion or insurrection. Yoon’s presidential security service has so far prevented searches of his office or home, citing “military security concerns.” Yoon refuses to cooperate with the investigation, maintaining that his controversial decision in early December was not a power grab.
He accuses the opposition of holding the country in a stranglehold and sympathizing with North Korea, while the opposition describes Yoon’s actions as an attempted coup. On December 3, Yoon declared martial law on television, sidelining the parliament and placing the media under military control.
Prosecutors allege that Yoon authorized military force to enter the parliament building if necessary. Ultimately, legislators narrowly reversed the state of emergency.
Source: NOS