Martial Law: Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached South Korean President Yoon

A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law. This development follows Yoon’s refusal to comply with three summonses for questioning over the past two weeks in relation to allegations of abusing power and inciting insurrection.

Yoon’s legal team has dismissed the warrant as “illegal and invalid,” vowing to challenge it in court. South Korea has been embroiled in a political crisis since the short-lived martial law declaration, which led to Yoon’s impeachment, as well as the impeachment of his successor by the opposition-dominated parliament.

This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president faces the possibility of arrest. The warrant was approved by a court in Seoul, and investigators have until January 6 to execute it, although they can request an extension. However, it remains uncertain whether authorities can successfully arrest Yoon, as his security team and protesters may intervene, as seen in previous attempts where security forces blocked investigations.

Earlier, Yoon’s security service had stopped investigators from entering the presidential office and his private residence to conduct searches. In the past, South Korean authorities have been forced to abandon attempts to arrest prominent politicians due to physical resistance from their aides and supporters.

Yoon’s legal team argued that the president’s decision to declare martial law was within his constitutional authority, and they maintained that his failure to attend the summons was due to “legitimate concerns.” Though Yoon is suspended from presidential duties since December 14 following the impeachment vote, his removal from office depends on a ruling by the Constitutional Court, which has not yet been made.

Currently, only six out of nine judges sit on the Constitutional Court, meaning a single rejection of the impeachment could prevent Yoon’s removal from office. Opposition lawmakers had hoped the addition of three more judges would improve their chances of securing Yoon’s impeachment, but this proposal was recently vetoed by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. In response, the opposition has voted to impeach Han and is now threatening similar action against Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who serves as both acting president and acting prime minister.

Choi has appointed two new judges, but a third appointment will require consensus between the opposition and governing parties.