Seoul: Investigators sought a warrant to formally arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law Friday, 45 days after his late-night declaration on Dec. 3.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) filed the request with the Seoul Western District Court two days after it apprehended Yoon at his residence and took him to a detention center following questioning. It is the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that an arrest warrant has been requested for a sitting president.
The CIO said Yoon was charged with leading an insurrection and abuse of power, citing the gravity of the alleged crimes and the risk of recurrence as reasons for seeking the warrant. Despite being detained, Yoon has refused to appear for questioning over his failed martial law bid.
He filed a request with the Seoul Central District Court to review the legality of his detention, but the court dismissed the challenge Thursday night, keeping him in custody.