Martial law row: South Korean investigators seek arrest warrant for President Yoon

Seoul: Investigators looking into South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law announced Monday that they have requested an arrest warrant after he failed to appear for questioning.

"The Joint Investigation Headquarters filed an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol with the Seoul Western District Court", said the probe team in a statement. This marks the first time in the country's history that an attempt has been made to forcibly detain a sitting president.

Yoon was stripped of his presidential powers by parliament earlier this month following his brief declaration of martial law. A ruling from the Constitutional Court is still awaited to confirm his impeachment.

Yoon’s dramatic decision has led South Korea into its most significant political crisis in decades. The situation worsened last week when his replacement, Han Duck-soo, was also impeached by parliament for refusing to approve bills for investigations into Yoon.

A former prosecutor, Yoon had been summoned for questioning three times but failed to show up each time, including by the deadline set for yesterday. Facing charges of insurrection, Yoon could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty. He is under investigation by a joint task force of prosecutors, police, defense ministry, and anti-corruption officials.

A 10-page report from prosecutors, seen by AFP, revealed that Yoon authorized the military to use force if necessary to enter parliament during his failed martial law attempt.

Agency