South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is preparing to submit a written opinion to the Seoul Western District Court and has appointed defense counsel, following an arrest warrant request issued by the joint investigation unit, according to reports from Yonhap news agency on Monday.
Lawyer and former prosecutor Yoon Kab-keun, representing President Yoon, confirmed that the written opinion will be delivered to the court later today. “The appointment letter for President Yoon’s defense counsel will also be submitted,” he stated.
The developments come in response to the joint investigation unit’s request for an arrest warrant for President Yoon on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. The charges stem from his short-lived imposition of martial law earlier this month and his failure to comply with three summonses for questioning.
President Yoon, who is currently suspended from office, has previously denied the allegations. He has defended his declaration of martial law as an “act of governance” intended to caution the opposition party against what he described as an abuse of legislative power.
The Seoul Western District Court is expected to decide soon whether to issue the arrest warrant following the investigators’ request. The case has garnered significant attention domestically and internationally, as it involves rare legal action against a sitting president in the Republic of Korea.
Observers are closely watching the situation, noting its potential implications for the country’s political stability and legal precedent. The involvement of high-profile legal professionals and the president’s direct engagement with the court reflect the gravity of the charges and the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the opposition party.
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S. Korea's Yoon to submit written opinion to court over arrest warrant
cgtn.com
