A South Korean court has approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was impeached and suspended from office over his decision to impose martial law on December 3, investigators announced.
The Office of Corruption Investigation (CIO) confirmed that the Seoul Western District Court had approved a warrant requested by investigators probing Yun's brief imposition of martial law.
“The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters were issued this morning,” the Joint Investigation Headquarters said in a statement.
“The schedule for further legal proceedings has not been determined,” it added.
According to local media, this is the first time an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting president in South Korea.
The CIO did not comment on why the court issued the arrest warrant. The court declined to comment.
It is unclear when and how the arrest warrant against Yoon will be executed. South Korea's Presidential Security Agency said in a statement on Tuesday that it would handle the arrest warrant following due process. The court also approved a search warrant for Yun's residence, the CIO said.
Under South Korean law, locations that may be related to military secrets cannot be seized or searched without the consent of those in charge, so there is no possibility that Mr. Yoon would voluntarily leave his residence if he were to be detained. gender is low.
Police were dispatched outside Yoon's residence in central Seoul, apparently to prevent a scuffle.
Both Yin's supporters and protesters demanding his removal staked out his residence, and local media showed footage of an overnight altercation on both sides.
Previous attempts by police to raid the presidential palace as part of the investigation failed as the Presidential Security Service blocked access.
Local media reported that investigative authorities were likely to coordinate with presidential security services, and that imminent arrests or searches of the presidential palace were unlikely.
Yun is under criminal investigation on suspicion of rioting. Riot is one of the few crimes for which South Korea's president is not immune.
Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader of South Korea's ruling People's Power Party, said on Tuesday that it is inappropriate to try to detain a sitting president, Yonhap News reported.
On Monday, South Korean law enforcement officials applied for the warrant. Authorities plan to interrogate Yoon on suspicion of abuse of power and orchestrating rebellion.
Although Yun's declaration of martial law lasted for several hours, the National Assembly on Dec. After passing the impeachment resolution, Yun's presidential powers were suspended. The Constitutional Court's decision on whether to approve impeachment is pending.
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