South Korea investigators request arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon - Reuters
Photo: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (Getty Images)
South Korea's joint investigation unit has requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The request follows his attempt to impose martial law in the country and his failure to comply with summonses, reports Reuters.
Reuters writes that Yoon failed to respond to multiple summonses for questioning by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. The two agencies are jointly investigating whether Yoon's declaration of martial law on December 3 constituted an attempted coup.
The court will decide to issue the arrest warrant after receiving the request.
Reuters says that Yoon was suspended from his presidential duties after parliament impeached him in early December over his decision to briefly impose martial law.
At the same time, the issue of reinstating Yoon to office or his permanent removal is still being reviewed by the Constitutional Court. The court has 180 days to make a decision.
On Friday, the court held its first preparatory hearing, during which Yoon's lawyers rejected the request to postpone the proceedings for better preparation. The court stated that it would proceed quickly. The next hearing is scheduled for January 3.
It was recently reported by the media that Yoon Suk Yeol promised to declare martial law in the country three times if necessary. Furthermore, he authorized the military to open fire in order to enter the parliament building.
