Yoon has become 1st sitting president to face arrest warrant, accused of insurrection and abuse of power
South Korean investigators are seeking an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking the first time a sitting president has faced such legal action in the country's history, media reported early Monday.A joint investigation team comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police and the Defense Ministry's investigation unit announced that it sought the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
The request was filed at midnight Sunday with the Seoul Western District Court, the report noted.
The charges stem from Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, during which he allegedly ordered troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from overturning the decree.
Investigators allege that Yoon's actions amounted to leading an insurrection and abusing his executive authority.
Yoon has denied the accusations, calling the martial law declaration an "act of governance" meant to caution the opposition party against what he described as an abuse of legislative power.
Separately, Yoon's legal team submitted a written opinion to the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that the CIO has no legal authority to investigate Yoon on suspicion of treason.
The legal team also argued that the request for an arrest warrant by the CIO "did not meet" the necessary requirements, KBS World reported.
The unprecedented case has sparked widespread debate about the limits of presidential power and accountability in South Korea.
On Monday, the new interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, Kwon Young-se, apologized to the South Korean people for the brief martial law situation earlier this month. He also urged the main opposition party to abandon its plan to impeach additional Cabinet ministers.
Kwon proposed that the Democratic Party engage in talks through a three-way consultative body, which would also involve the government.
South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament impeached President Yoon, acting President Han Duck-soo, and is now threatening to impeach the new acting President Choi Sang-mok unless he appoints the Constitutional Court justice nominees approved by the assembly.
