South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has announced his intention to comply with an indictment or preliminary detention warrant, according to his defense counsel on Wednesday. This development follows the extension of an arrest warrant against the impeached president issued by the Seoul Western District Court.
Yoon’s defense team stated that he is prepared to face a court trial after being formally indicted or if a preliminary detention warrant is sought. “President Yoon intends to comply with the legal proceedings,” the defense counsel told local reporters.
The preliminary detention warrant is typically sought by prosecutors when immediate detention of a suspect at large is not possible, allowing for detention up to 20 days. The warrant’s valid period is determined by a judge, often set for 10 days.
Despite expressing willingness to cooperate with legal proceedings, Yoon’s counsel emphasized that he would not comply with investigations conducted under the “invalid” arrest warrant, asserting that any detention warrant should be issued by the Seoul Central District Court.
Yoon Kab-keun, one of Yoon’s lawyers, refuted claims by some parliament members that the president had fled the official residence. “I met with President Yoon at the presidential residence on Tuesday,” he said, dismissing the allegations as “malicious rumors” intended to slander the president.
The Seoul Western District Court issued a second warrant on Tuesday to arrest Yoon for up to 48 hours, extending the validity of the first arrest warrant that expired on Monday. Investigators had attempted to arrest Yoon at the presidential residence on January 3, but the attempt was thwarted when the presidential security service blocked the execution of the warrant.
The joint investigation unit comprises the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the National Office of Investigation, and the defense ministry’s investigative headquarters.
On December 14 of last year, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon, sending it to the constitutional court for deliberation, a process that can last up to 180 days. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
Yoon has been named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on charges of insurrection. He declared martial law on the night of December 3, but this was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
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Yoon Suk-yeol to comply with indictment, preliminary detention warrant
cgtn.com
