South Korea Seeks Arrest Warrant for Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Martial Law

South Korean investigators have requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial declaration of martial law. The Joint Investigation Headquarters announced that they filed the warrant with the Seoul Western District Court after Yoon failed to appear for questioning despite multiple summons.

This marks the first attempt in South Korea's constitutional history to detain a sitting president. Yoon was impeached earlier this month and stripped of his presidential powers following his brief but dramatic martial law declaration, which triggered the country’s worst political crisis in decades. A constitutional court is currently reviewing his impeachment.

The crisis deepened last week when Han Duck-soo, who replaced Yoon, was also impeached for failing to approve bills related to the investigation into Yoon’s actions.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, faces charges of insurrection, which carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. Prosecutors and a joint investigative team comprising police, defense ministry, and anti-corruption officials are leading the investigation.

A leaked prosecutors' report revealed that Yoon had authorized the military to use weapons if necessary to enter parliament during his failed martial law attempt. His refusal to cooperate with the investigation has intensified calls for accountability.

The ongoing turmoil highlights a deepening political crisis in South Korea, with public and political scrutiny mounting over the dramatic actions of its former leader.