30-12-2024 (SEOUL) Legal authorities in South Korea have taken unprecedented action by seeking an arrest warrant for incumbent President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a watershed moment in the nation’s democratic history. The warrant, filed late Sunday with the Seoul Western District Court, stems from allegations surrounding his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month.
A multi-agency investigative coalition, comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), national police, and defence ministry investigators, moved to secure the warrant after President Yoon allegedly snubbed three successive requests to present himself for questioning.
The investigation centres on events of 3 December, when President Yoon briefly imposed martial law and reportedly dispatched military forces to Parliament, allegedly attempting to prevent legislators from overturning his decree. These actions have led to serious charges of insurrection and abuse of presidential authority.
The President’s office has mounted a vigorous defence, characterising the martial law declaration as a legitimate governmental action intended to check what they perceive as opposition overreach in Parliament. President Yoon has consistently maintained his innocence, framing his decisions as necessary executive measures rather than constitutional violations.
Legal representation for the President has signalled their intention to contest the warrant’s validity. Yun Gap-geun, a key member of Yoon’s legal team, has particularly questioned the CIO’s jurisdiction in pursuing insurrection-related charges, telling reporters: “We shall be taking appropriate legal measures in response to this investigation, which exceeds its authorised scope.”
