In a historic and unprecedented move, a South Korean court on Tuesday approved the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking the first time in the country’s history that a sitting president faces arrest. Yoon is under investigation for his brief imposition of martial law earlier this month, a move that triggered widespread backlash and political upheaval in South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy.
The Seoul Western District Court granted an arrest warrant requested by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is probing allegations that Yoon led an insurrection. This charge is one of the few criminal offenses from which South Korean presidents do not have immunity.
Yoon, currently suspended from office, is also undergoing an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. The arrest warrant, which remains valid until January 6, allows investigators to detain Yoon for up to 48 hours before deciding whether to request a detention warrant or release him.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who initially assumed Yoon’s duties as acting president, was also impeached by parliament, leaving Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as the acting leader. Choi is simultaneously handling the aftermath of the recent Jeju Air flight 7C2216 crash, which claimed 179 lives in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster.
The political chaos has paralyzed governance in South Korea and drawn criticism from both ruling and opposition parties.
Yoon’s legal team has called the arrest warrant “illegal and invalid,” arguing that the CIO lacks authority under South Korean law to request such a warrant. Lawyer Yoon Kab-keun announced plans to file for an injunction at the Constitutional Court to block the warrant’s execution.
The presidential security service has vowed to handle the warrant "according to due process," but the timing and method of Yoon’s arrest remain unclear. Previously, security forces had blocked investigators’ attempts to raid the presidential office.
The court has also approved a search warrant for Yoon's residence.
Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3 was an attempt to ban political activity and censor media amid escalating tensions with parliament. The decree led to dramatic scenes, with troops storming the National Assembly only to retreat after being sprayed with fire extinguishers by parliamentary staff.
Yoon rescinded the martial law order within hours, but public and political backlash was immediate. After surviving an initial impeachment attempt, he was ultimately impeached on December 14 with support from members of his own party.
Three top defense officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, have already been indicted for their roles in the martial law decree. More indictments are expected as investigations continue.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to hold its next impeachment hearing on Friday. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers are urging investigators to swiftly execute the arrest warrant.
The acting head of the ruling People Power Party, Kweon Seong-dong, criticized the arrest as "inappropriate," reflecting the deepening divide between political factions in the country.
With South Korea’s leadership in turmoil and international observers closely watching, the resolution of this crisis could shape the nation’s political future for years to come.