Seoul, January 5 — In a significant development following his impeachment, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has announced his intention to comply with an indictment or a preliminary detention warrant, according to his defense counsel on Wednesday. This announcement comes after the Seoul Western District Court extended an arrest warrant against the embattled president.
Yoon’s defense team conveyed to local reporters that the president is prepared to face a court trial following an official indictment or if a preliminary detention warrant is sought by prosecutors. “President Yoon respects the judicial process and intends to comply accordingly,” the counsel stated.
The preliminary detention warrant, typically sought when immediate detention of a suspect is not feasible, allows authorities to hold an individual for up to 20 days, with the valid period determined by a judge—usually around 10 days.
However, the defense counsel emphasized that Yoon would not comply with investigations under what they termed an “invalid” arrest warrant. They argued that any detention warrant should be properly issued by the Seoul Central District Court to ensure legal validity.
Amid swirling rumors, Yoon Kab-keun, one of Yoon’s lawyers, dismissed allegations suggesting that the president had fled the official residence. “These are malicious rumors intended to slander President Yoon,” Yoon Kab-keun remarked, adding that he met with the president at the residence on Tuesday.
The Seoul Western District Court issued a second arrest warrant on Tuesday, valid for up to 48 hours, following the expiration of the first warrant on Monday. Earlier attempts by investigators to arrest Yoon at the presidential residence on January 3 were unsuccessful due to intervention by the presidential security service.
The joint investigation team comprises the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, the National Office of Investigation, and the Defense Ministry’s investigative headquarters, indicating the gravity and high-profile nature of the case.
The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon on December 14 last year, propelling the case to the Constitutional Court for deliberation, a process that could take up to 180 days. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
Adding to the controversy, investigative agencies have named Yoon as a suspected ringleader on charges of insurrection. Notably, he declared martial law on the night of December 3, a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
This unfolding situation has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, as South Korea navigates this unprecedented political turbulence.
