Seoul: A special counsel team has filed for an arrest warrant for former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, accusing him of playing a significant role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee is charged with neglecting his constitutional duty by failing to prevent Yoon's "illegal" martial law declaration in December. He allegedly ordered the National Fire Agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the administration at the time and lied under oath about not giving such instructions.
The Seoul Central District Court has scheduled a hearing to decide on the warrant issuance at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young stated during a press briefing, "We requested an arrest warrant for former Minister Lee on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abusing his power, and giving false testimony."
Park further elaborated on the decision, citing the seriousness of the crimes, potential evidence tampering, and the risk of a repeat offense as primary concerns. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team questioned Lee regarding the allegations last Friday, following raids on his home and the office buildings of the interior ministry and the fire agency to gather pertinent evidence.