A Seoul court has authorized the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of rebellion and abuse of office.
Following a request by law enforcement, a Seoul court issued a warrant for the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, an unprecedented event in South Korean history. The Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant on Tuesday, citing allegations that Yoon orchestrated the December 3rd declaration of martial law, instigated a rebellion, and abused his power. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) sought the warrant after Yoon failed to comply with three summonses for questioning regarding the short-lived martial law period.
The CIO now has 48 hours to apprehend Yoon, though the warrant’s execution faces uncertainty due to the Presidential Security Service’s previous obstruction of investigators citing security concerns. This occurred at both the presidential office and Yoon’s residence.
While presidents typically enjoy immunity from prosecution, this exemption does not apply to charges of insurrection or treason. Yoon’s legal team contests the CIO’s authority to investigate insurrection, arguing it falls under police jurisdiction. However, CIO chief Oh Dong-woon asserts that a court-issued warrant cannot be legally blocked, regardless of the president’s status.
The six-hour martial law declaration on December 3rd prompted widespread domestic shock and international concern, especially from allies like the United States. The deployment of armed troops to parliament, confronting staff with fire extinguishers, further highlighted the event’s gravity.
Following a parliamentary impeachment vote on December 14th, Yoon was suspended. The Constitutional Court is now reviewing his case, with a 180-day deadline to decide on removal from or reinstatement to office.
Interim president Han Duck-soo, who succeeded Yoon, also faced impeachment for failing to appoint Constitutional Court justices, a crucial step in the impeachment process. Han cited a lack of inter-party consensus. The opposition Democratic Party criticized his actions as demonstrating a lack of commitment to upholding the Constitution.
Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, assumed the presidency on Friday, becoming South Korea’s second acting president in two weeks.