SEOUL (AP) — A South Korean court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations he led an insurrection through a short-lived martial law declaration, marking the first time in the nation’s history that a sitting president faces potential detention.
The Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant, valid until January 6, following a request from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The unprecedented legal action comes amid a deepening political crisis that has already seen two impeachments and a deadly aviation disaster.
The warrant allows authorities a 48-hour window to detain Yoon, who would likely be held at the Seoul Detention Center. The investigation centers on his December 3 martial law declaration, which attempted to restrict political activity and impose media censorship before being swiftly rescinded following parliamentary opposition and public outcry.
During the brief implementation of martial law, military forces temporarily occupied the National Assembly building but withdrew when faced with resistance from lawmakers and staff. The episode has led to multiple indictments of senior defense officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
“This investigation faces unique challenges given the unprecedented nature of the situation,” said a senior CIO official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case. Investigators have encountered obstacles, including security forces blocking access to the presidential office, though searches continue at other military facilities.
The political turmoil has forced multiple leadership changes, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok now leading the government after both Yoon’s impeachment and the subsequent impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had initially assumed temporary presidential duties.
Yoon’s legal team is contesting the warrant’s validity, arguing it exceeds the CIO’s jurisdictional authority. They have announced plans to file an injunction with the Constitutional Court, which is simultaneously conducting Yoon’s impeachment trial.
The crisis has sparked intense public reaction, with hundreds of Yoon’s supporters clashing with police outside his residence following the court’s decision. Political divisions have deepened, as opposition leaders demand immediate execution of the warrant while ruling party members condemn the unprecedented move against a sitting president.
Acting President Choi has appealed for national unity amid the crisis, which coincides with the aftermath of the Jeju Air disaster that claimed 179 lives. “Our nation faces extraordinary challenges that require our collective resolve and faith in our democratic institutions,” Choi said in a national address.
The Constitutional Court has scheduled the next hearing in Yoon’s impeachment trial for January 5, as the nation grapples with what observers call the most serious political crisis in decades.
The case represents a critical test of South Korea’s democratic institutions and constitutional framework, as the country navigates uncharted legal and political territory with the potential arrest of its highest-ranking official.
