South Korean police request arrest warrant for country’s president

A joint investigative team has filed a request with the Seoul court for an arrest warrant against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol whose powers were suspended following his impeachment by parliament on Dec. 14, the country’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials reports.

The request was submitted on Dec. 30; the joint investigation team includes representatives from the Corruption Investigation Office, police, and the Ministry of Defense. The request focuses on allegations that Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law as part of an effort to organize a rebellion. South Korean law permits prosecution of a sitting president on charges of rebellion or treason.

On Dec. 29, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear for questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials for the third time, which was the final summons under legal protocol before an arrest warrant request can be submitted.