A South Korean court granted the issuance of an arrest warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, after his failed attempt to declare martial law in the nation.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking officials (CIO) confirmed the Seoul Western District's approval of the arrest warrant.
Following Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law in the country, the South Korean parliament summoned him for questioning. However, the former failed to report for questioning three times, further escalating the Nation's political crisis.
Concerns on Asia's fourth-largest economy circled back after acting president Han Duck-soo was impeached by the opposition parties. The event came after his refusal to appoint three justices to fill the vacancies on the Constitutional Court.
Meanwhile, Yoon has been stripped off his presidential duties since his short-lived bid to impose martial law. An arrest and search warrant requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters was issued early Tuesday.
Yoon will face criminal charges of insurrection, which could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. It is also one of the few charges wherein a South Korean President does not have immunity over.
Apart from Yoon's arrest warrant, a search warrant was also approved for the former's residence. Police previously tried to raid Yoon's Presidential office as part of its investigation, but were unsuccessful due to the presidential security blocking their access.
According to South Korean media outlets, this is the first time that an arrest warrant was issued to an incumbent President in the country.
Authorities said that Yoon may be held at the Seoul Detention Center or at a local police station, once the warrant is exercised. It will be viable until January 6.
South Korea's Presidential Security assured that they will treat the arrest warrant according to due process.
