A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for President Yoon Suk Yeol and authorized the search of his residence and office over allegations of insurrection related to the brief imposition of martial law.
This marks the first time an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting South Korean president. However, experts suggest that an arrest or raid is unlikely unless Yoon is first removed from office.
The Seoul District Court ordered the arrest and search of the presidential office and Yoon’s residence in central Seoul, according to a statement from the Office for Investigation of Corruption by High-Ranking Officials, which is leading the inquiry alongside police and military authorities.
The investigation aims to determine whether Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3 constitutes insurrection.
Under South Korean law, the leader of an insurrection could face the death penalty or life imprisonment if found guilty.
