Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

S'Korea Court approves arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol despite impeachment saga

POSTED ON December 31, 2024 •   World      BY Benedicta Bassey
Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

SOUTH KOREA  — A South Korean court has approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol following his impeachment and suspension from power.

The move comes after Yoon imposed martial law in early December, an act that has deepen political crisis in the country.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) confirmed that the Seoul Western District Court granted the arrest warrant as part of an investigation into Yoon’s brief but controversial declaration of martial law.

Investigators allege that Yoon led an insurrection, a grave criminal charge for which a sitting South Korean president does not have immunity.

Yoon’s trial on impeachment charges is ongoing at the Constitutional Court, while the arrest warrant remains valid until January 6.

If executed, Yoon is expected to be detained at the Seoul Detention Center, according to Yonhap news agency.

The situation has plunged South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. ally, into a deepening political crisis.

Shortly after Yoon’s impeachment, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo briefly assumed the role of acting president but was also impeached by the opposition-controlled parliament.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, now serving as acting president, is grappling with the aftermath of the Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash, South Korea’s deadliest air disaster, which killed 179 people.

Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal team, headed his his lawyer, Yoon Kab-Keun  has challenged the arrest warrant’s validity, arguing that  the CIO lacks the authority under South Korean law to request such a warrant.

The president’s legal team plans to file an injunction with the Constitutional Court to block its enforcement.

Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3, aimed at banning political activities and censoring the media, marked South Korea’s first such move since the 1980s.

The district court approved the arrest warrant, citing a significant likelihood that Yoon would avoid responding to summonses and strong evidence supporting the allegations against him. The court also authorised a search of Yoon’s residence, though attempts to raid the presidential office have been blocked by the presidential security service.

Yoon has repeatedly ignored investigators’ summonses since declaring martial law, heightening tensions. His former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who played a key role in the decree, has already been detained and charged with insurrection and abuse of power.

Mixed reaction trail calls for President Yoon Suk Yeol arrest

Kweon Seong-dong, acting leader of the ruling People Power Party, criticised the move as “inappropriate,” while opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min called for its immediate enforcement.

READ ALSO
Saudi unveil customs regulations ahead of hajj pilgrimage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 1, 2025 0

As the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage approaches, authorities in Saudi Arabia have outlined Customs...

READ ALSO
Pope Francis to be buried April 26
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

Pope Francis’s funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced Tuesday, as world leade...

READ ALSO
Tinubu lauds ECOWAS for regional integration, economic progress at golden jubilee
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for promoti...

READ ALSO
Trade Wars Take Center Stage at IM ,World Bank Spring Meetings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

Global finance leaders are convening in Washington this week for the semi-annual meetings of the Int...

READ ALSO
Tinubu mourns Passing of Pope Francis: A Voice for the Voiceless
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences alongside global leaders over the death of Mario...

READ ALSO
Timeless Legacies: Top 10 ancient civilizations that shaped the modern world
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

Ancient civilizations laid the foundation for modern society, contributing to everything from govern...

READ ALSO
WTO warns of global trade decline amid U.S. tariffs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 17, 2025 0

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a warning that global trade could decrease this year a...

READ ALSO
Boosting Trade: Tinubu's commitment to regional integration with ECOWAS tariff signing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 15, 2025 0

Reinforcing Nigeria's commitment to expanding regional trade, President Bola Tinubu signed the Econo...

OUR CHANNELS:

Legal Obligations Remain Despite Threats to Exit Nigeria, FCCPC Rebukes Meta Platforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

The Federal Government, through its Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has crit...


APC disqualifies 38 aspirants ahead of Lagos LG elections, clear 432 for primaries
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - In anticipation of the Local Government Elections set for July 12, 2025, the Lagos...


Tinubu pledges support, Welfare for troops in battle against insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu praised Nigerian soldiers on Friday, referring to them as courageous, valiant...


Tinubu emphasizes Agriculture as key to prosperity and food security
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

KASTINA, Nigeria (NAN) - President Bola Tinubu has urged governors to concentrate on achieving tangi...


NCS enhances border control with e-CDF, Report 69 currency declarations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported a total of 69 currency declara...


Lawyer call out EFCC for insufficient public disclosure following VDM arrest
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

Legal counsel for Martins Vincent Otse, who is also known as AKA Very Dark Black Man, has criticized...


Naira depreciates to N1,602.18 per dollar as CBN reports 0.34% drop
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

The naira fell in value at the official market, on Friday,  reaching N1,602.18 to the doll...


Bode George calls on Tinubu to adopt 2014 CONFAB for a better Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

A former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt...


SDP demands cancellation of elections amidst irregularities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Social Democratic Party's Federal Capital Territory chapter has called for the...


UK court sentences UN judge  to over six years for modern slavery offenses
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

A UK court sentenced a United Nations judge to six years and four months on Friday after she was fou...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu