Ex South Korean Pres Arrested Over Attempted Martial Law and Abuse of Power

World

A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk-yeol in connection with his attempt to impose martial law on 3 December, an action prosecutors have described as an attempted rebellion.

The Seoul Central District Court approved the warrant in the early hours of Thursday, following a seven-hour hearing on Wednesday during which Yoon appeared in court to contest the charges. He was taken into custody and transported to a detention centre while awaiting the court’s ruling. The decision to approve the warrant was based on the argument that Yoon posed a risk of destroying evidence if left at liberty, as asserted by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk.

Yoon, a conservative leader, was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court of South Korea, which upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach him in December. The impeachment followed serious allegations that Yoon had overstepped his authority in ordering preparations for martial law in what prosecutors believe was a plan to seize absolute power and detain political opponents.

The former president had already been arrested once in January while still in office, but was released in March after that arrest was overturned. Prosecutors resumed their investigation and questioned Yoon twice before submitting a new request for his arrest warrant on Sunday.

Yoon now faces multiple charges, including abuse of power, falsifying official documents, obstruction of official duties, and actions related to the alleged martial law conspiracy. His legal team has dismissed the charges as unfounded and politically motivated.

Despite his denials, prosecutors maintain that Yoon’s conduct constitutes one of the gravest threats to South Korea’s constitutional order since the country’s democratic transition. The case has drawn widespread domestic and international attention, raising concerns about political stability, democratic safeguards, and accountability at the highest levels of government.

Further legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as the investigation continues and prosecutors prepare for trial.