In a historic move, a South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol over his controversial declaration of martial law, marking the first time authorities have sought to detain a sitting president in the country.
The Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant on Tuesday following a request by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, which is probing Yoon for alleged insurrection and abuse of power.
Yoon, who has been suspended from office since December 14 after the National Assembly impeached him in a 204-85 vote, faces charges related to his brief imposition of martial law on December 3. The move has plunged South Korea into one of its most severe political crises in decades.
The conservative leader could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted. The investigation and warrant have sparked nationwide debate as South Korea grapples with the fallout from the martial law decree and its impact on the country’s democratic institutions.
