Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not be arrested for the time being. A Seoul court on Wednesday rejected an arrest warrant request filed by the special prosecutor in charge of investigating Yoon's controversial attempt to impose martial law before his impeachment. The decision comes as the case sparks significant political polarization in the country.
Yoon is accused of considering a military crackdown on mass protests in 2024, while facing a popular and parliamentary backlash that resulted in his downfall. The special prosecutor appointed to investigate this sensitive case had pleaded Tuesday for the immediate arrest of the former head of state, arguing that he risked concealing evidence or fleeing.
Yoon Suk Yeol's lawyers welcomed the court's decision, calling the investigation "clearly politically motivated." They said the former president never attempted to subvert the democratic order, and his consultations on martial law were internal discussions related to national security. "This legal process is only aimed at humiliating a former president," they said.
The former president will nevertheless have to comply with his summons and appear in court on Saturday for the next stage of the proceedings. The prosecution continues to gather evidence, including internal government communications from the time and testimonies from senior military officials.
In addition, the detention of former Defense Minister Kim Jong-un (not to be confused with the North Korean leader), arrested in connection with the same case, has been extended by the courts. He is suspected of having played a central operational role in planning the use of force.
The affair, one of the most serious institutional crises South Korea has experienced in decades, has rekindled tensions between the conservative and progressive camps just months before crucial legislative elections.
