Arrest Warrant Issued for President Yoon Suk Yeol in South Korea
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World
December 31, 2024 06:00
south korea - The Seoul Western District Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol in relation to the state of emergency declared in South Korea.
The Seoul Western District Court has approved the joint investigation request of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of Defense for the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with the state of emergency investigation.
The court ordered Yoon's arrest on suspicion of "insurrection" and "abuse of power" in the ongoing investigation.
Furthermore, the court also approved the investigators' request to search the presidential residence.
The investigators have one week to carry out the orders.
Authorities conducting the investigation had summoned the President for questioning three times on December 18, 25, and 29, but Yoon did not respond to the calls, leading to the request for his arrest.
Yoon's lawyers, Yun Gap-geun, argued that the CIO did not have the authority to conduct investigations on charges of "insurrection" and stated that they would take legal steps against the request.
This marks the first time in South Korean history that an incumbent president has been issued an arrest warrant.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of emergency on the night of December 3, citing "anti-government activities by the opposition," but later rescinded the decision after it was overturned by the Parliament and then approved by the Cabinet.