South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO) asked a court on Friday to issue a new arrest warrant for detained President Yoon Suk-yeol as he again refused to be questioned by investigators probing his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The CIO noted that Yoon Suk Yeol is charged with leading a rebellion and abuse of power. The CIO also explained that the severity of the charges and the risk of repeat offences warranted the arrest of the investigated man.
Yoon, who is being held in a temporary detention centre, had earlier tried to challenge the detention, but the Seoul Central District Court rejected his claims. Yoon also refused to answer questions during interrogation.
On Wednesday, investigators in Yoon’s case detained him and took him away from his residence for questioning.
In December 2024, parliament removed Yoon from power after he attempted to impose martial law in the country to combat political opponents. Yoon is accused of declaring martial law on December 3, attempted sedition and abuse of power. However, investigators who arrived at Yoon’s residence to detain him on January 3 encountered resistance from the military and Yoon’s security detail and were unable to take him into custody.
The Constitutional Court is expected to decide in the coming months whether to uphold the parliament’s decision to impeach the president.
