A Seoul Central District Court has approved a warrant for the re-arrest of former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court’s decision follows a request from special prosecutor Cho Yoon-seok’s team, which is investigating Yoon for multiple charges including obstruction of official duties, abuse of power, and forgery related to a proposal to impose martial law.
Court Cites Risk of Evidence Tampering
According to the special prosecutor, Yoon is suspected of attempting to delete or alter key evidence. The court agreed, stating that the risk of tampering was significant enough to justify placing him in pre-trial detention.
With the arrest warrant approved, Yoon can now be held in custody for up to 20 days during the investigation. If found guilty, he may face up to six months of imprisonment before a formal trial begins.
Background on the Case
The case centers around allegations that Yoon was involved in efforts to invoke martial law in 2023 during a period of political unrest. Prosecutors believe that Yoon misused his presidential authority to push for military intervention as a response to nationwide protests and that he knowingly forged documents to support the move.
Yoon, who served as South Korea’s president until earlier this year, has repeatedly denied the charges. His legal team claims the investigation is politically motivated and that no laws were broken during his time in office.
What’s Next?
Yoon’s arrest marks a significant development in South Korea’s ongoing efforts to hold former leaders accountable. If prosecutors can gather sufficient evidence during the 20-day detention period, they are expected to file formal charges and proceed to trial later this year.
This case adds to the growing list of high-profile corruption and abuse-of-power scandals involving South Korean political figures.
