South Korean President Faces Arrest Warrant, Impeachment, And Political Chaos

A South Korean court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, the embattled leader whose controversial declaration of martial law nearly a month ago plunged the nation into political upheaval. This marks the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has faced an arrest warrant.

Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended after South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach him earlier this month. The decision came after members of his own ruling party turned against him, citing his refusal to resign over the contentious December 3 decree.

The Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion, according to South Korea’s anti-corruption agency. The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) stated that Yoon, a former prosecutor, had ignored three summonses from investigators, who sought his cooperation in multiple ongoing probes. These include allegations of leading an insurrection—a crime that could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Presidential Defense and Arrest Warrant Controversy

Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, denounced the arrest warrant as “illegal and invalid,” accusing the CIO of lacking proper authorization and transparency in the process. Under South Korean law, an arrest warrant must typically be executed within seven days but can be extended if necessary.

Road to Impeachment

Yoon has remained out of the public eye in recent weeks as he faces a Constitutional Court trial that will determine whether he is formally removed from office or reinstated. The court’s first pretrial hearing on December 27 saw Yoon absent, though his attendance was not mandatory.

The nine-member court currently operates with only six justices due to delays in filling vacancies. South Korean law requires at least six of nine justices to approve an impeachment for it to be upheld. Whether the six sitting justices alone can make this decision remains unclear, but all would need to vote unanimously for Yoon’s removal. A second pretrial hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Widening Political Crisis

Yoon has been banned from leaving the country, and several top officials from his administration have been arrested on insurrection charges. The nation’s political instability deepened last Friday when parliament also impeached Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo. Han faced criticism for refusing to expedite the appointment of three vacant seats in the Constitutional Court, a move he argued required bipartisan agreement.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has now assumed the role of acting president. Just two days into his tenure, Choi is navigating a deeply fractured political landscape while leading a country mourning one of its worst aviation disasters in nearly three decades.

The tragedy unfolded Sunday when Jeju Air flight 7C 2216, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members from Bangkok to Muan County, crash-landed, leaving only two survivors.

National Uncertainty

As political and social crises compound, South Korea faces an uncertain future. The unfolding events not only test the country’s legal and democratic frameworks but also place immense strain on its leadership during a time of national mourning and introspection.