The decision on whether to issue an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected as early as the 25th. Earlier, special prosecutor Jo Eun-seok filed an arrest warrant for former President Yoon at the Seoul Central District Court on the 24th. It has been 108 days since the court canceled former President Yoon's detention and he was released on March 8.
Former President Yoon is facing charges of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant against himself (obstruction of special public duties and abuse of power). He is also charged with instigating the deletion of confidential information of military commanders at the Presidential Security Service, trying to destroy evidence (instigation of abuse of power under the Presidential Security Act).
The special prosecutor said, "Former President Yoon has failed to comply with two requests from the police to appear, and after the investigation began on June 18, he clearly indicated he would not respond to the summons on the 19th and subsequent summon requests." They noted, "Considering the continuity of the case, we have decided to request an arrest warrant for the suspect's investigation."
The Seoul Central District Court is deliberating on the issuance of the arrest warrant. The decision on whether to approve the warrant is expected today. Previously, when the special investigation team composed of the police's special investigation unit, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), and the Ministry of National Defense requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon on December 30 last year, the court issued the warrant the following day.
If the warrant is issued, the special investigation team for the insurrection will execute the arrest of former President Yoon. The validity period of the arrest warrant is usually 7 days. Once executed, the special investigation team must complete the investigation of former President Yoon within 48 hours and decide whether to request a detention warrant. On the other hand, if the court does not issue the warrant, the special investigation team is expected to request former President Yoon to appear for questioning.
Former President Yoon's side is protesting that the special prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant is an illegal act. Yoon's attorney said, "We were planning to cooperate with the investigation after coordinating schedules following the launch of the special prosecutor's office, but the special prosecutor filed a surprise arrest warrant without once requesting our appearance or notification of summoning," and added, "The request for an arrest warrant by the special prosecutor is an illegal act lacking procedural legitimacy."