South Korean law enforcement officials have requested an arrest warrant for President Yun Seok-Yeol after he was impeached two weeks ago in the Dec. 3 martial law that shocked the nation.
Authorities are investigating whether his actions that day amounted to rebellion. The High-level Corruption Investigation Office confirmed to The Associated Press that it plans to apply for a warrant from the Seoul Western District Court and interrogate Yoon on charges of abuse of power and orchestrating rebellion.
The president's lawyers filed a court challenge, arguing that the warrant was invalid and accusing the president of attempting to detain him.
“You cannot prosecute a sitting president for abuse of power,” the lawyer said. “Of course, academic opinion is divided as to whether the president can be investigated for abuse of power, with some arguing that it is possible. But even if an investigation were allowed, we would exercise maximum restraint. The general opinion is that it should be held and exercised.
On December 14, South Korea's parliament voted 204 to 85 to impeach President Yoon. South Korea's Constitutional Court was then tasked with deciding whether President Yoon should be formally removed from office. If that happens, an election would be held within 60 days, according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed.
