South Korean media reported that the country’s Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (SPO) filed for an arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk-yeol on January 17. This marks the first time in the country’s history that an investigating body has requested the court to arrest a sitting president.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the SPO cited suspicion of leading an insurrection and abusing power to obstruct the exercise of rights as reasons for requesting the arrest warrant against Yoon Suk-yeol from the Seoul Western District Court.
The Seoul Western District Court is set to conduct a review of the SPO’s application on the afternoon of January 18 to determine whether to issue the arrest warrant.
Friday marks the third day of Yoon Suk-yeol’s detention. On January 15, over 3,000 police officers raided his residence and arrested him. He faces criminal charges of insurrection due to a brief martial law he declared on December 3.
In a statement released through his lawyers, Yoon Suk-yeol said the prison where he is being held is “a bit uncomfortable” but assured that he is doing fine.
He also expressed gratitude to his supporters, saying, “I am deeply grateful for the fervent patriotism of the people.” Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the prison in the cold weather.
Yoon Suk-yeol has been refusing to cooperate with the SPO’s questioning since his arrest. The arrest warrant from the court is valid until Friday evening at 9:05 pm, prompting the SPO to seek his formal arrest.
If Yoon Suk-yeol is arrested, investigators may extend his detention, during which they will transfer the case to the public prosecutor for indictment.
The Seoul Western District Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on Saturday afternoon to decide whether to approve the arrest warrant. Yoon Suk-yeol may or may not attend. The decision on the arrest may come over the weekend or early next week.
Detailed information regarding the arrest warrant request has not been immediately disclosed. When the detention order for Yoon Suk-yeol was issued earlier this month, the court indicated that he could face charges of leading an insurrection.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyers had applied to the Seoul Central District Court for his release, questioning the validity of the detention order from the Western District Court, but their request was rejected on Thursday evening.
This decision granted anti-corruption officials nearly 11 extra hours to continue detaining Yoon as the 48-hour limit for their arrest warrant request was suspended during the Central District Court’s review.
If Yoon Suk-yeol is formally arrested, it may signify an extended period of detention for him, lasting for several months or even longer.
In case of prosecution on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, he could be detained for up to six months until a preliminary trial verdict.
If found guilty by the preliminary trial court and sentenced to imprisonment, Yoon Suk-yeol may appeal, but during this period, he would serve the sentence.
Under South Korean law, the maximum sentence for plotting an insurrection could be life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s lawyers argue that there is no need to detain him during the investigation, claiming that he does not pose a flight risk or threat of destroying evidence.
However, investigators state that Yoon Suk-yeol has ignored several requests to appear for questioning and that the presidential security office thwarted attempts to detain him on January 3.
Yoon Suk-yeol is also facing impeachment proceedings. The Constitutional Court of South Korea has begun hearing the impeachment case to determine whether to permanently suspend his powers or reinstate his duties.
Public opinion polls indicate that the majority of South Koreans support Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, but his legal troubles and resistance to arrest appear to have sparked passion among some supporters.
According to a Gallup Korea poll released on Friday, his ruling party, the People Power Party (PPP), has seen a rise in support to 39%, up from 34% a week earlier, overtaking the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which stands at 36%.
Gallup Korea suggests that political divisions in South Korea have deepened following Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest, and the messages being continually relayed by him and his party seem to have influenced his supporters.
On Friday, Yoon Suk-yeol’s supporters gathered outside the prison where he is detained, braving the cold weather, demanding his release and welcoming the increase in support for the People Power Party.
Despite criticism from the United States, a key ally, regarding Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law, National Security Advisor Sullivan warned last week that North Korea, with nuclear capabilities, might seek to exploit South Korea’s volatile political situation.
North Korea has remained largely silent on the situation in Seoul but reported the news in its state media two days after Yoon Suk-yeol’s arrest.
Rodong Sinmun quoted foreign media as saying it is the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested.
Rodong Sinmun stated, “Yoon Suk-yeol, in pursuit of personal interests, disregarded legal procedures, damaging national order.”
(This article is based on reports from Yonhap News Agency, Associated Press, and Reuters)