South Korean Court Approves Arrest of Ousted President Yoon

Seoul (Eurotoday) – South Korea court approves arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over controversial martial law declaration.

A court in South Korea granted authorities approval on 31 Dec 2024 to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in a criminal probe into his martial law order. As reported by Reuters, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) affirmed the Seoul Western District Court authorised an arrest warrant asked by operatives investigating Yoon’s short-lived imposition of martial law.

What led to Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration?

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on 3 December 2024-the first in more than four decades as a threat from “anti-state forces” and pro-Pyongyang groups. The announcement drew widespread political shockwaves since Yoon’s administration is facing severe opposition and parliamentary questions. The six-hour martial law declaration by Yoon was said to address some perceived threats by “anti-state forces,” yet it caused much public outcry and mass protests. After the vote of impeachment, Yoon’s powers were suspended pending a Constitutional Court decision as to whether or not the impeachment was valid.

How did South Korea react to Yoon’s martial law?

The process included military units securing the National Assembly, which set off public and legislative anger. Within hours, the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly to rescind the declaration of martial law, forcing Yoon to rescind it shortly thereafter.

On December 14, 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol because of his contentious declaration of martial law on December 3. The impeachment motion passed with an overwhelming majority with 204 for and 85 against votes as a result of the deep public dissatisfaction that marred Yoon’s actions, described by many lawmakers and critics as unconstitutional. This was the first time in more than four decades that a president of South Korea was targeted for impeachment.