South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks to the nation at the presidential office on December 14, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.
Presidential Office of South Korea | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Local media reported that ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeon may become the country's first president to face arrest after the court issued an arrest warrant against him.
The Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon. Korea Times He reported afterwards He failed to appear for questioningDespite multiple summonses by a joint investigation unit consisting of the South Korean police and the Corruption Investigation Bureau of senior officials.
The arrest warrant enables the CIO to detain Yoon for questioning within 48 hours.
This was done by Yoon Kap Keun, the current president's lawyer He said Investigating charges of rebellion falls outside the scope of the CIO's jurisdiction. The news agency reported that the presidential security service blocked access to the presidential office complex and Yoon's official residence, due to security concerns. Yonhap.
South Korean presidents are not immune from charges of sedition or treason. Furthermore, superiors are not allowed to obstruct a court-issued detention order or arrest warrant, according to Chief Information Officer Oh Dong-won.
Yoon faces charges related to him a permit He imposed martial law on December 3, which he justified as necessary to protect the constitution. He lifted martial law within six hours after the country's National Assembly convened Vote To cancel his decree.
Yoon was impeached by lawmakers on December 14, with members of his People Power Party voting in favor of the motion. The vote was earlier to fail To reach a two-thirds majority.
Reports stated that the Constitutional Court in South Korea has begun procedures to determine whether to remove Yoon from his position or return him to his position. Yonhap. It will issue its ruling within 180 days, starting on December 14.
Although the accusation stops Yoon from performing his duties and powers as head of state, he remains president while the Constitutional Court deliberates on his case.
After Yoon was removed, Prime Minister Han Dak-soo served as president.
However, Han was too isolation Last week. The opposition Democratic Party accused him of hesitation to immediately appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court.
Cheo Sang-mok, deputy prime minister and finance minister, became acting president on December 27 after Han was removed.
CNBC's Roksandra Iordas and Hakyung Kim contributed to this report.
