A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday, reigniting a legal battle over his alleged misuse of power during a 2023 martial law declaration. The Seoul Central District Court approved the detention request from special counsel Cho Eun-suk, marking Yoon's second arrest in the high-profile case.
Yoon faces five charges including:
Excluding cabinet members from critical pre-martial law meetings
Allegedly fabricating official documents
Ordering dissemination of false statements to foreign media
Obstructing justice during January arrest attempts
Deleting secure phone records
The former leader denied all charges during Thursday's hearing before being transferred to Seoul Detention Center. This development follows Yoon's initial arrest in January 2024 and subsequent release in March when courts overturned the detention order.
Legal analysts note the case highlights ongoing tensions between South Korea's executive and judicial branches, with implications for political accountability in one of Asia's largest democracies. The proceedings are being closely watched by investors monitoring stability in the world's 10th largest economy.
