A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Yoon, who was suspended from office earlier this month, faces insurrection charges over his controversial attempt to impose martial law on December 3, plunging the nation into its worst political crisis in decades. Parliament impeached him soon after, pending a constitutional court decision on the matter.
The Joint Investigation Headquarters confirmed the issuance of the arrest and search warrants, citing “sufficient probable cause” for the charges. If convicted, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Authorities requested the warrant after Yoon failed to attend three summonses for questioning. “There is a concern he may continue evading the investigation,” an official from the Corruption Investigation Office stated. The warrant remains valid until January 6, with Yoon expected to be detained at the Seoul detention center.
Yoon’s legal team has denounced the move as unlawful. “The warrants issued by an agency lacking investigative authority are illegal and invalid,” argued his lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, in a statement to AFP. The defense maintains Yoon did not intend to disrupt constitutional order and plans to file for an injunction to nullify the warrant.
Meanwhile, the investigation broadened with a raid on the military’s Counterintelligence Command. Two senior commanders have been indicted for insurrection and abuse of authority in connection to the martial law attempt.
Public reaction has been polarized. Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside his residence on Tuesday, waving national flags and chanting, “Martial law is legal! Impeachment invalid!” Police have been deployed to ensure order, with protest organizers expecting up to 3,000 demonstrators to join the rally.
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