SEOUL: In an unprecedented legal move, a joint investigation team in South Korea has requested an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first sitting president in the nation's history to face such a legal challenge. The warrant, which was filed with the Seoul Western District Court at midnight on Sunday, is based on allegations of insurrection and abuse of power linked to Yoon's controversial imposition of martial law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the joint team-which includes the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), the police, and the defense ministry's investigation unit-sought the warrant after President Yoon ignored three summonses to appear for questioning. The charges stem from an incident on December 3, when Yoon declared martial law and allegedly ordered military intervention at the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting down his decree.

President Yoon has denied the accusations, asserting that his actions were a legitimate exercise of governance aimed at curbing what he viewed as the opposition party's misuse of legislative authority. In response to the legal proceedings, Yoon's defense team filed an opinion with the court, arguing against the validity of the arrest warrant request.

Yun Gap-geun, one of Yoon's legal representatives, contended that the CIO lacks the jurisdiction to investigate charges of insurrection. He emphasized that while the CIO is authorized to probe abuse of power allegations, this does not extend to insurrection charges by default. Alongside lawyer Kim Hong-il, Yun submitted a notice of attorney appointment to the court, reinforcing their stance on the jurisdictional issue.