South Korea joint investigation unit requests arrest warrant for Yoon over martial law

South Korea’s Joint Investigation Unit has requested an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law earlier this month, an official said Monday.

Yoon did not respond to multiple calls for questioning by the police and the Corruption Investigation Bureau for senior officials who are jointly investigating whether his Dec. 3 declaration of a state of emergency amounted to rebellion.

After the request, the court will decide whether to issue a warrant.

Yoon Kab-keun, a lawyer for the suspended president, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Yoon was suspended from presidential powers after being impeached by parliament earlier this month over his decision to briefly impose martial law.

A trial is underway at the Constitutional Court on whether Yoon will be reinstated or permanently removed from office. He has 180 days to make a decision.

On December 27, the court held the first preliminary hearing, where Yoon’s lawyers’ request to delay the proceedings for better preparation was rejected. The court said it would act quickly.

The next hearing is scheduled for Friday.