Seoul: A Seoul court on Wednesday rejected a warrant to arrest former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court cited a lack of justification for an arrest or concerns about flight or evidence tampering.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court noted there was room for Park to dispute whether the actions he took violated the law. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which sought the warrant, expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision and indicated plans to refile for Park's arrest. "The special counsel plans to take action to quickly receive a court decision again," assistant special counsel Park Ji-young stated in a briefing.
Park, the former minister, faces accusations from the special counsel team of playing a significant role in an insurrection and abusing his power in connection with the martial law attempt in December. Investigators allege that Park assisted Yoon's efforts by potentially ordering the dispatch of a prosecutor to a joint investigation headquarters, which was part of the now-dismantled martial law command.
Further, Park is suspected of instructing the Korea Immigration Service to have a team ready to impose travel bans on those arrested under martial law and directing the Korea Correctional Service to prepare spaces for incarcerating politicians and others. Park's representatives have denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the instructions were standard precautionary measures.
This decision follows a previous denial by the court of an arrest warrant sought against former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in August related to his alleged role in Yoon's martial law declaration.