South Korean President Faces Arrest Over Martial Law Controversy

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing the possibility of arrest after law enforcement authorities requested a court warrant to detain him, escalating the political chaos that has gripped the nation. The arrest request comes after Yoon’s controversial martial law decree was unanimously struck down by the country’s National Assembly last month, leading to his impeachment.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, working with police and military investigators, submitted the request Monday, according to the Associated Press. Yoon’s impeachment now rests in the hands of South Korea’s Constitutional Court, where nine justices must decide whether to remove him from office.

Yoon, a conservative leader, declared martial law on December 3, citing a need to “defend the free Republic of Korea” from North Korean threats and internal anti-state forces. His decision, which allowed for sweeping military authority, drew sharp criticism domestically and internationally. The National Assembly voted 190-0 to end martial law, accusing Yoon of attempting to use the military to disrupt the vote.

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, a key figure in the martial law declaration, has already been arrested and reportedly attempted suicide while in custody. He expressed regret, saying, “I deeply apologize for causing significant anxiety.”

Yoon’s lawyer has pushed back strongly against the arrest warrant, arguing that an incumbent president cannot be prosecuted for abuse of power. While some legal scholars suggest investigations are permissible, the prevailing view in South Korea is that such measures should be used sparingly.

Yoon remains defiant, insisting that martial law was necessary to address what he described as an “unworkable relationship” with the opposition-led National Assembly. He accused the liberal Democratic Party of undermining national security and public order by slashing the budget and targeting officials for impeachment.

Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has faced relentless opposition from the National Assembly, which impeached 22 officials and reportedly planned to target 10 more. Last April, liberal lawmakers won a decisive parliamentary victory, solidifying their control of the legislature.

Yoon’s supporters view his actions as a bold stand against a hostile legislature, while critics accuse him of overreach and authoritarianism. The arrest request underscores the deep divisions within South Korea’s political system and raises questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

As the Constitutional Court deliberates, the outcome could set a significant precedent for the nation’s democracy. South Koreans, meanwhile, watch anxiously as their country navigates one of its most turbulent political crises in decades.

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