South Korea’s embattled president, Yoon Suk Yeol, now faces an arrest warrant issued by a Seoul court on Tuesday, marking the first time in the country’s history that a sitting president has been subject to such legal action. Yoon, who plunged the nation into turmoil with his surprise declaration of martial law on December 3, has been stripped of his presidential powers following his impeachment earlier this month.
The Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant on allegations of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion, charges that carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The warrant allows investigators to detain Yoon for up to 48 hours for questioning, with an additional warrant required for a longer detention.
Yoon, a former prosecutor, has refused multiple summonses for questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) in recent weeks. His legal team has labeled the arrest warrant as “illegal and invalid,” claiming that the anti-corruption agency lacks the legal authority to pursue such actions.
This latest development comes amid mounting political chaos in South Korea, as explosive new details emerge about Yoon’s actions on the night he declared martial law.
The night of martial law
The events of December 3 sparked national outrage and remain the subject of intense scrutiny. According to prosecutors, Yoon ordered troops to South Korea’s parliament in an attempt to enforce his martial law declaration, which lawmakers were working to overturn. As soldiers approached the National Assembly, legislators barricaded themselves inside the main chamber, using chairs and furniture to block the doors.
Prosecution documents reveal that Yoon allegedly instructed the military to use any means necessary to break in. “Haven’t you entered yet? What’s taking so long? Break down the doors and drag them out!” Yoon reportedly demanded. He is also accused of ordering soldiers to “shoot the doors to break in and remove them.”
Lawmakers moved swiftly to counter Yoon’s actions, voting in the early hours of December 4 to revoke the decree. Of the 300 members of the National Assembly, 190 voted against the martial law order, forcing the withdrawal of troops.
Despite the setback, prosecutors allege that Yoon vowed to declare martial law multiple times if necessary. Evidence presented by investigators includes confiscated items such as cable ties, baseball bats, and blindfolds, which were allegedly intended for detaining opposition figures and officials from the National Election Commission.
The former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who prosecutors say played a key role in the operation, has already been arrested and charged with abuse of power and insurrection. Prosecutors allege that Kim prioritized the apprehension of key political figures, including opposition leaders and the National Assembly chairman, as part of Yoon’s plan to consolidate control.
A nation in turmoil
Yoon’s declaration of martial law sent shockwaves across South Korea, reviving painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past. The announcement prompted panic in Seoul, as residents rushed to be with loved ones and others gathered outside the parliamentary building in protest.
The fallout has left South Korea in political disarray. Yoon’s impeachment, which was supported by members of his own ruling party, has triggered a Constitutional Court trial to determine whether he will be formally removed from office or reinstated. The trial, which began with a pretrial hearing on December 27, could take up to six months to resolve.
Adding to the uncertainty, the impeachment of Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo last Friday further destabilized the government. Han was accused of delaying the appointment of new Constitutional Court justices, a move that critics say exacerbated the crisis.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has since assumed the role of acting president, becoming the third person to hold the position in less than a month. Choi has pledged to urgently address the political crisis, including the appointment of justices to fill the court’s three vacant seats. However, achieving bipartisan agreement on the appointments remains a significant challenge.
Legal battles and public outcry
Meanwhile, Yoon remains defiant, staying largely out of public view as he faces both the Constitutional Court trial and the possibility of arrest. His legal team has filed objections to the arrest warrant and continues to challenge the legitimacy of the anti-corruption agency’s investigation.
The president’s security team has also resisted law enforcement efforts, previously blocking an attempt to search the presidential office despite a court-approved warrant. In response to the arrest warrant, the security team stated that “security measures will be taken in accordance with due process.”
Public opinion remains divided, with some expressing anger over Yoon’s actions and others questioning whether the impeachment and arrest warrant are politically motivated. The crisis has reignited debates about the balance of power in South Korea’s democracy, which emerged from decades of military rule in the late 20th century.
A turbulent road ahead
As South Korea grapples with the fallout from the martial law declaration, the nation also faces other pressing challenges. Acting President Choi is tasked not only with managing the political crisis but also with leading the country through a period of mourning following a devastating aviation disaster earlier this week.
A Jeju Air flight carrying 175 passengers and six crew members crash-landed on Sunday, killing all but two people on board. The tragedy is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the nation’s recent history.
For now, South Korea’s immediate future remains uncertain. The Constitutional Court trial, the ongoing investigations into Yoon and his administration, and the broader political instability have left the country at a crossroads. Whether Yoon’s impeachment and potential arrest will strengthen South Korea’s democracy or deepen its divisions is a question that only time can answer.