Court issues arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

According to sources, the Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon on charges of masterminding the failed declaration of martial law on December 3, organizing a rebellion and abuse of power.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (CIO) filed a request for an arrest warrant after Mr Yoon ignored three summonses from the anti-graft agency asking him to attend questioning over the brief declaration of martial law.

The court's temporary detention order gives the CIO 48 hours to detain Mr. Yoon for investigation and apply for a formal arrest warrant.

However, there remains uncertainty over the CIO's ability to enforce the order, as the Presidential Security Service has cited military security reasons to prevent investigators from entering the presidential office complex and Mr. Yoon's official residence to conduct a court-approved search.

Although Mr. Yoon has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, the privilege does not apply to charges of rebellion or treason.

Mr Yoon's legal team argued that the CIO has no legal authority to investigate riots, which fall under the police's jurisdiction under the current system, which was revised under the previous government.

Unlike a search warrant, a detention or arrest warrant issued by a court cannot be legally blocked, even by the president, said Oh Dong-woon, director of YES.

Mr Yoon was suspended from his duties after the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach him on December 14 over the imposition of martial law, which lasted six hours before being lifted by the National Assembly.

The Constitutional Court of South Korea has begun proceedings to decide whether to remove President Yoon from office or reinstate him. The court has 180 days from December 14 to issue a ruling.