World
December 31, 2024 15:07
seoul, south korea - A Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of abuse of power and incitement to rebellion.
A Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of abuse of power and incitement to rebellion, following the declaration of a state of emergency. Yoon has repeatedly ignored summons for questioning regarding the brief state of emergency.
While presidents in South Korea typically have immunity from criminal prosecution, exceptions can be made in cases involving charges of treason and attempted rebellion. The arrest warrant, valid until next Monday, requires Yoon to be arrested within 48 hours. If apprehended, he may be held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, south of the capital.
Yoon, however, refuses to cooperate with the criminal investigation, insisting that the state of emergency was necessary to protect the country from 'North Korean and anti-state forces'. His lawyer has deemed the arrest warrant 'illegal and invalid', stating that the Constitutional Court should be the sole authority to address the issue.
Two weeks ago, parliament voted for Yoon's impeachment, pending a decision from the Court on his removal from office.
South Korean media report uncertainty regarding Yoon's potential arrest, noting previous instances where the presidential security service obstructed access to his office and residence citing 'military security concerns'.
Following the court's approval of the arrest warrant, the security service pledged to 'continue to protect the president and support a fair trial'. The ruling People Power Party's deputy leader criticized the warrant as 'inappropriate' and 'regrettable', arguing against its necessity due to the absence of a flight risk.
In early December, Yoon declared a state of emergency, purportedly to sideline the opposition. The opposition has long targeted Yoon and his wife over scandals involving bribery, influence, and corruption, tarnishing his image shortly after assuming office. The state of emergency, viewed as a desperate move by Yoon, backfired as public outrage grew. Eleven days later, parliament voted to impeach Yoon, who has since been suspended.
Subsequently, Acting President Han Duck-soo was also ousted for refusing to appoint judges nominated by parliament to the Constitutional Court, marking the first removal of an acting president in South Korean history. Choi Sang-mok currently assumes presidential duties.