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Court Hearing on Potential Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Concludes After Five Hours


Seoul: A court hearing regarding the possible issuance of an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his brief imposition of martial law, concluded on Saturday after a five-hour session. Yoon attended the hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, which lasted from 2 p.m. until 6:50 p.m., before returning to the detention center where he has been held since Wednesday to await the court’s decision.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon’s legal representative, Yun Gap-geun, stated that the president “faithfully explained and responded regarding the facts, evidence and legal issues.” The court’s decision on whether to issue or reject the warrant for Yoon’s formal arrest is anticipated early Sunday. During the hearing, prosecutors from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) presented their case, while Yoon’s lawyers countered with PowerPoint presentations.

Yoon, dressed in a suit, addressed the court for 40 minutes, concluding with a final statement lastin
g five minutes. He has been in custody since Wednesday, following his arrest on charges of masterminding an insurrection and abuse of power, marking him as the first sitting South Korean president to face such a fate. Transported from a detention center in Uiwang, Yoon arrived at the court in a police-escorted convoy that bypassed the media’s designated photo area, while thousands of supporters rallied nearby in a show of solidarity.

Yun Gap-geun conveyed Yoon’s intention to attend the hearing to defend the legitimacy of the martial law imposition and to restore his tarnished reputation. Despite refusing to appear for questioning over the martial law declaration, which only lasted a few hours, Yoon’s lawyers assert that the move was a legitimate act of governance aimed at overcoming a national crisis. The crisis was sparked by opposition-led impeachments and legislative gridlock, which culminated in Yoon’s presidential powers being suspended on December 14.

Yoon’s legal team has also challenged the legality
of the detention warrant issued by the Western District Court, although the Seoul Central District Court dismissed this challenge. Despite the ruling, Yoon’s counsel maintains that the CIO lacks the legal authority to investigate insurrection charges and argues that the Western District Court lacks proper jurisdiction over the martial law case.

Should the court issue the arrest warrant, Yoon will be formally arrested, making him the first sitting president in South Korean constitutional history to face such an action. His formal arrest would extend his detention to 20 days, allowing investigators to prepare for an indictment. If the warrant is rejected, Yoon will be released, potentially strengthening his claims that the investigations are unwarranted.

In related developments, a police special investigation team has requested a warrant to detain Kim Sung-hoon, deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, on charges of obstructing the execution of Yoon’s detention warrant. Meanwhile, the Constitutional
Court is deliberating on whether to uphold the parliament’s decision to impeach Yoon or reinstate him to office.

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