S. Korean Court Issues Arrest Warrant for President Yoon

A South Korean court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and suspended from power following his decision to impose martial law on December 3. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) confirmed that the Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant, which was requested by investigators probing Yoon's brief imposition of martial law.

This marks the first arrest warrant issued for a sitting South Korean president, according to local media.

The CIO did not provide any details on the court’s reasoning for granting the warrant, and the court itself declined to comment. It remains unclear when or how the arrest will be executed, with South Korea’s presidential security service stating that it will adhere to due process in handling the warrant.

In addition to the arrest warrant, the court also approved a search warrant for Yoon's residence, the CIO confirmed. Previous attempts by police to raid the presidential office as part of the investigation were unsuccessful due to obstruction by the presidential security service.

Yoon is under investigation for possible insurrection charges, a serious offense for which a sitting president has no immunity under South Korean law.

The acting leader of the ruling People Power Party, Kweon Seong-dong, condemned the warrant, calling the attempt to detain a sitting president inappropriate, according to Yonhap news agency.