In an unprecedented move, the Seoul Western District Court has approved an arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was recently impeached following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. This marks the first instance of a sitting South Korean president facing arrest. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) sought the warrant after Yoon repeatedly refused to comply with summonses for questioning.
President Yoon's declaration of martial law was met with swift backlash from both the public and the National Assembly, leading to its rapid rescission. The National Assembly subsequently impeached Yoon, suspending his presidential powers pending a Constitutional Court review. Yoon is accused of leading an insurrection, a charge that is not protected by presidential immunity.
The political crisis deepened as Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had assumed the role of acting president, was also impeached. This led to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepping in as the interim leader. The situation has intensified political polarization in South Korea, with Yoon's supporters staging protests against the legal actions taken against him.
The arrest warrant allows authorities to detain President Yoon for up to 48 hours, with the possibility of holding him at the Seoul Detention Center. Yoon's legal team has indicated plans to challenge the warrant, arguing that his actions were within the scope of presidential authority. The warrant remains valid until January 6, adding urgency to the unfolding legal proceedings.
This development has plunged South Korea into one of its most severe political crises in recent decades, raising concerns about governmental stability amid ongoing internal and geopolitical challenges. The Constitutional Court's forthcoming decision on Yoon's impeachment will be pivotal in determining the nation's political trajectory.
