South Korean court issues arrest warrant for Yoon over martial law decree

31/12/2024 12:31

A South Korean court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been impeached and suspended from power over his decision to impose martial law on Dec. 3.



The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) confirmed the Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant requested by investigators examining Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law.



According to local media, this is the first arrest warrant issued for an incumbent president in South Korea.



Yonhap news agency said citing CIO, the current arrest warrant is viable until Jan. 6, and once it is exercised, Yoon is expected to be held at the Seoul Detention Center.



Yonhap said, the court issued the warrant due to the likelihood that Yoon will not respond to summons without a justifiable reason, and there being a substantial reason to suspect Yoon of a crime. The court declined to comment.



Yoon has failed to respond to investigators' summons for questioning three times since the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.