On 31 December 2024, a South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol following his impeachment earlier in the month. The warrant marks a significant legal and political development in South Korea's ongoing constitutional crisis, as Yoon becomes the first sitting president in the nation's history to face such charges.
On 3 December 2024, President Yoon imposed martial law, citing escalating unrest and threats to public order. The controversial decision involved deploying military personnel to the National Assembly, effectively halting legislative activities. The move was widely criticised domestically and internationally, leading to its swift repeal the same day.
The incident fuelled political tensions and led to Yoon's impeachment by the National Assembly on 14 December 2024. The grounds for impeachment included alleged violations of the Constitution and abuse of presidential authority.
Following the impeachment, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) launched an investigation into President Yoon’s actions, including allegations of insurrection and abuse of power. The investigation escalated when Yoon declined multiple summonses for questioning.
On 31 December, the Seoul Western District Court granted the CIO's request for an arrest warrant. The court cited the gravity of the allegations and the risk of evidence tampering as justification for the warrant. This development underscores the seriousness of the charges and sets a historic precedent in South Korean politics.
Yoon’s legal representatives have challenged the warrant’s validity, arguing that the CIO overstepped its jurisdiction. They also emphasised Yoon's constitutional immunity as a sitting president, despite his powers being suspended following impeachment. The defence team has announced plans to seek an injunction from the Constitutional Court to block the warrant’s execution.
The arrest warrant is valid until 6 January 2025. While the presidential security service has stated its commitment to due process, logistical and procedural complexities remain, given Yoon’s status as an impeached but not fully removed president. Authorities have not yet disclosed the timeline for potential arrest proceedings.
The issuance of the arrest warrant has deepened South Korea’s political divide. Critics argue that Yoon’s actions violated democratic principles and warrant accountability. Supporters, however, claim the impeachment and subsequent legal actions reflect political motivations rather than impartial justice.
The situation has heightened tensions in an already polarised political landscape, with protests and counterprotests taking place across the country. The Constitutional Court is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the impeachment and the arrest warrant.
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