North Korea’s Joint Investigation Unit is seeking an arrest warrant for Yoon due to the state of emergency By Reuters
By Hyunsu Yim
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s Joint Investigation Unit has requested an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law earlier this month, an official said on Monday.
Yoon has not responded to multiple calls for questioning by the police and the Corruption Investigation Bureau for senior officials who are jointly investigating whether his Dec. 3 declaration of a state of emergency amounted to rebellion.
After the request, the court will decide whether to issue a warrant.
Yoon Kab-keun, a lawyer for the suspended president, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Yoon was suspended from presidential powers after being impeached by parliament earlier this month over his decision to briefly impose martial law.
A trial is underway at the Constitutional Court on whether Yoon will be reinstated or permanently removed from office. He has 180 days to make a decision.
On Friday, the court held its first preliminary hearing, where Yoon’s lawyers’ request to delay the proceedings for better preparation was rejected. The court said it would act quickly.
The next hearing is scheduled for January 3.
