South Korean court approves arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law
- Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested due to concerns he may destroy evidence regarding his martial law declaration.
- The court's decision came after a series of investigations and legal challenges following his impeachment in April 2023.
- The approval of his arrest may lead to a prolonged period of custody as new charges are pursued against him.
In South Korea, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested following a court decision that raised concerns about his potential to destroy evidence related to his brief imposition of martial law in December. This event unfolded after Yoon was ousted from office in April 2023 when the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment. He initially faced charges of rebellion for his martial law declaration, which was lifted within hours after lawmakers prevailed against his military blockade at the National Assembly. Despite being released from a detention center in March 2023, Yoon's legal troubles continued as a special prosecutor initiated additional charges of abuse of power, falsifying documents, and obstructing official duties. His lawyers characterized the arrest request as exaggerated and lacking in substantiation. The court’s approval of his arrest after a lengthy hearing signifies that the investigation is moving forward as Yoon may face prolonged custody while awaiting potential indictment on these new charges. This situation marks a significant chapter in South Korea’s turbulent political history, characterized by a pattern of former leaders facing legal challenges after leaving office.