Prosecutors and South Korean authorities requested this Monday a arrest warrant against the former president Yoon Suk Yeolwho was suspended from his duties after briefly declaring the martial law earlier this month, according to the joint investigation team in charge of the case.
The arrest request was presented at around 0:00 local time (15:00 GMT on Sunday) before a court in the Seoul Western Districtas representatives of the investigation team, which includes the anti-corruption office, the police and the investigation unit of the Ministry of National Defense, explained to the media.
The petition alleges that Yoon led an insurrection and abused his position by declaring the emergency on December 3 and that he supposedly ordered the Army to prevent the deputies of Parliament from voting against his decision to revoke it.
This request marks an unprecedented event in the history of South Korea, being the first time that the forced detention of a president before the impeachment proceedings are completed.
Yoon imposed martial law in a televised speech, arguing that his decision was aimed at eliminate “anti-state elements”. His action plunged South Korea into the biggest political crisis in decades.
Minutes after his announcement, legislators went to the Parliament to vote against the measure. In parallel, armed troops They broke into the National Assembly building, scaling fences, breaking windows and using helicopters to gain entry.
According to a report from the prosecutor’s office to which he had access AFPYoon instructed the head of the Capital Defense Command, Lee Jin-woo, to use force if necessary to enter Parliament. “Haven’t they entered yet? What are they doing? Break down the door and get them out, even if it means shooting”the report cited.
Furthermore, Yoon would have ordered the head of the Defense Counterintelligence CommandGeneral Kwak Jong-keun, to quickly enter the premises to prevent the necessary quorum from revoking his martial law decree. “Break the doors with an ax if necessary and remove everyone inside the plenary”he added according to the report.
Yoon was suspended from office by Parliament and is currently facing a political trial whose resolution depends on a pending decision of the Constitutional Court. Despite this, he has been called to testify three times by investigators, but has refused to appear, including the latest deadline set for this Sunday.
The investigative team, which includes prosecutors, police, Defense Ministry officials and the Anti-Corruption Commission, said Yoon had discussed the possibility of declaring martial law with senior military commanders since March, which would indicate preparation prior to the announcement.
Attempts by prosecutors to search the presidential offices were also blocked by the presidential security team, which has complicated the investigations.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keundescribed the accusations as “a one-sided story that does not correspond to objective circumstances or common sense”.
The political situation in South Korea worsened when Yoon’s acting successor, Prime Minister Han Duck-soowas also impeached by Parliament after refusing to approve investigations related to the actions of his predecessor.
Given the dismissal of Han, the finance minister, Choi Sang-mok, assumed the role of interim president. As soon as he took office, Choi faced the crisis generated by the Jeju Air flight 7C2216 plane crashin which 179 people died, the worst civil aviation disaster recorded in the country.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the Constitutional Court decide in the coming days whether or not to confirm Yoon’s permanent removal as president. If so, it would mark another key chapter in the tense political situation that the country is going through.
(With information from AFP)
