Seoul Court approves arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law imposition

In South Korea, a Seoul court yesterday approved a request from law enforcement authorities to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief martial law imposition, making him the first sitting South Korean President to face an arrest. The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant against Yoon on charges of masterminding the botched December 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating the insurrection and abusing power, according to sources.

     

The court warrant gives The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) 48 hours to take Yoon into custody for questioning and file for an arrest warrant.

      

However, uncertainties linger over whether the CIO can execute the warrant, as the Presidential Security



Service has blocked investigators from entering both the presidential office compound and Yoon’s official residence to carry out court-approved searches, citing military security concerns.

 

Although Yoon has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, the privilege does not extend to insurrection or treason charges.

     

Yoon has been suspended from his duties after the Opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14 over his imposition of martial law.

  

The Constitutional Court has begun proceedings for deliberations to determine whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. It has 180 days from December 14 to deliver its ruling.