South Korean court issues arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant Tuesday for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul Western District Court issued the warrant against Yoon on charges of masterminding the botched Dec. 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating the insurrection and abusing power, the news agency quoted sources as saying.

It marks the first time a sitting president has faced such legal action in the country’s history.

On Monday, a joint investigation team comprising the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), police and the Defense Ministry’s investigation unit announced that it sought the warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

Yoon has denied the accusations, calling the martial law declaration an "act of governance" meant to caution the opposition party against what he described as an abuse of legislative power.

Separately, Yoon's legal team submitted a written opinion to the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that the CIO has no legal authority to investigate him on suspicion of treason.