Seoul: A Seoul court has dismissed a request to issue a detention warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his declaration of martial law last year, according to the special counsel.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court rejected the special counsel's request on Tuesday as part of an investigation into Yoon's alleged obstruction of official duties and other charges related to the December declaration of martial law. Following the court's decision, the special counsel team, led by Cho Eun-suk, informed Yoon to appear at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Officials indicated that a formal detention warrant would be considered if Yoon fails to comply.
The special counsel team stated, "The court dismissed the request on the grounds that Yoon has expressed his willingness to comply with the special counsel's summons." They further asserted, "If he fails to appear, we will consider seeking a formal warrant."
Before the case was handed over to the special counsel, police had summoned Yoon for questioning on June 5, 12, and 19. His failure to respond to these requests led the special counsel to seek the detention warrant, officials noted. The special counsel commenced operations last Wednesday after the National Assembly passed a bill in early June mandating an independent investigation into insurrection charges against Yoon.
Yoon faces charges of ordering the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to obstruct the execution of a detention warrant against him by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in early January. He is also suspected of instructing the PSS to delete records from secure phones used by three military commanders shortly after his failed attempt to impose martial law.
Yoon's lawyer contends that Yoon ignored the summonses because the detention warrant issued by the CIO was executed unlawfully.