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After failing to arrest South Korean president, corruption investigators seek new warrant

South Korean authorities have requested a new arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, after failing to arrest him under an initial warrant.

A man bangs a pan as he protests, surrouned by other protesters, one of whom is holding a placard that says, "Stop the steal"
Supporters of impeached South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol have held multiple rallies near his residence in Seoul. Source: AFP / Anthony Wallace

South Korean anti-corruption investigators were waiting on Tuesday for a new court-ordered arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid threw the country into turmoil.

The background: Yoon has refused questioning three times over a bungled martial law decree last month and is holed up in his Seoul residence surrounded by hundreds of guards preventing his arrest.

It is likely a new warrant will be granted by the same court that issued the first order, which expired after seven days, but investigators refused to disclose the duration of the new warrant they were seeking.

The key quote: "The Joint Investigation Headquarters today refiled a warrant with the Seoul Western District Court to extend the arrest warrant for defendant Yoon." — The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) on Monday

"Details regarding the validity period cannot be disclosed."

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What else to know: Yoon is being investigated on charges of insurrection and, if formally arrested and convicted, faces prison or, at worst, the death penalty. His failed martial law decree plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

He would also become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested.

His lawyers have repeatedly said the initial warrant was "unlawful" and "illegal" and have pledged to take further legal action against it.

Read more: How South Korea's martial law chaos unfolded, and what could happen next


2 min read

Published

Source: AFP




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