Seoul: Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min appeared in court on Thursday for a hearing to determine whether a warrant should be issued for his arrest. The charges relate to his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee is accused of complicity in Yoon's "illegal" martial law declaration in December. The accusations include allegations that Lee did not take action to prevent the declaration and allegedly instructed the National Fire Agency to disrupt media outlets critical of the administration by cutting off their power and water supply on the night of the declaration.

As Lee entered the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, he declined to answer questions from reporters regarding the allegations. The warrant request was filed by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team on Monday, and the court's decision on the matter is expected as early as Thursday night.

Cho's investigative team is probing charges of insurrection and other related offenses linked to Yoon's decree. As part of the investigation, Lee was questioned last week, and his home, along with the offices of the interior ministry and the fire agency, were raided to gather evidence.

Lee's defense has refuted all allegations, maintaining that he never received any orders from Yoon to cut off utilities to media outlets, nor did he instruct the National Fire Agency to do so.