Because of martial law

Arrest warrant applied for against South Korea’s ex-president

Yoon's actions have triggered the worst political crisis in South Korea for decades.

(Bild: AFP)

As part of the investigation into the brief declaration of martial law in South Korea, an arrest warrant has been issued for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to investigators. The competent court in Seoul granted a corresponding request on Tuesday morning, the investigative team explained. Yoon had previously been summoned for questioning three times, but refused to appear each time - including at the most recent hearing on Sunday.

The court saw sufficient suspicion and the danger that Yoon could evade justice, the investigators added. In addition to the arrest warrant, a search warrant was also issued for Yoon's residence.

Yoon's lawyer described the arrest warrant as "illegal" and argued that it was up to the Constitutional Court to decide on the legality of martial law. Yoon will appear there in person. All requests for the production of documents will be answered within the framework of the legal procedure, but unlawful investigations will not be tolerated.

Legal crux: Is Yoon still in office or not?
Yoon is being investigated by the public prosecutor's office and a joint team from the police, the Ministry of Defense and the anti-corruption authority. This team is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial declaration of martial law. Yoon's lawyers described the arrest warrant requested by the investigators as "unjustified" on Monday. According to the law, a sitting president cannot be prosecuted for abuse of power.

Yoon, who has since been suspended, had surprisingly made use of martial law on December 3 in view of a dispute with the opposition over the budget, thereby alarming both the domestic and international public. However, the opposition-dominated parliament used its right of veto in a dramatic session, whereupon the conservative Yoon lifted martial law again after a few hours. Since then, there have been mass protests against Yoon in South Korea.

Yoon supporters protest

(Bild: AFP )

Country in deep political crisis
Tensions in South Korea's worst political crisis in decades intensified further last week when parliament voted to remove Yoon's successor, interim president Han Duck-soo, from office. The opposition had requested the vote on the grounds that the previous prime minister Han had refused to complete Yoon's impeachment proceedings. Choi Sang-mok has since become prime minister and interim president.

The public prosecutor's office is making serious accusations against Yoon: according to a ten-page report, which the AFP news agency was able to view, Yoon is said to have instructed the military to use weapons if necessary to enable the storming of parliament. Yoon's lawyer rejected the contents of the document.