South Korea’s anti-corruption agency has handed over the execution of an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol to the police, as the warrant is set to expire on Monday.
Yoon Suk-yeol is under criminal investigation for insurrection following his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which shocked the nation and led to his impeachment. The arrest warrant was issued after Yoon failed to comply with multiple summons for questioning.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon on December 14 last year, subsequently delivering it to the Constitutional Court for deliberation, a process that can take up to 180 days. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
Last week, a dramatic six-hour standoff unfolded at Yoon’s compound in central Seoul, where presidential guards and military forces prevented authorities from executing the arrest warrant.
With the court-ordered warrant nearing its expiration, officials from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) for High-ranking Officials, investigating Yoon’s martial law declaration, may attempt another arrest before the deadline.
According to local media outlet YTN, the anti-corruption agency plans to request an extension of the execution period for Yoon’s arrest warrant on Monday.
Yoon’s lawyers have steadfastly argued that the warrant is “unlawful” and “illegal,” pledging to pursue further legal action to challenge it.
As the nation’s political landscape remains turbulent, the impending expiration of the arrest warrant adds uncertainty to South Korea’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis sparked by Yoon’s actions.
Stakeholders both domestically and internationally are closely monitoring the developments, with potential implications for South Korea’s political stability and its role in regional affairs.
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Yoon's arrest warrant set to expire Monday, execution handed to police
cgtn.com
