Demonstrations have erupted near the official residence of South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol, as an arrest warrant for alleged insurrection is set to expire at midnight on Monday. Crowds are divided, with some demanding his immediate arrest, while others rally in his support.
President Yoon became the nation’s first sitting leader to face arrest after a failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3. The move plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy into political turmoil, capturing global attention.
On Sunday, the Seoul Western District Court dismissed a complaint from Yoon’s legal team claiming the arrest warrant was illegal and invalid, according to Yonhap news agency. The court did not respond to requests for comment.
Yoon’s lawyers argue that the warrant is unconstitutional, stating that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), which is leading the investigation, lacks the authority under South Korean law to handle insurrection allegations.
As the clock ticks toward the warrant’s expiration, the nation remains on edge, watching closely as this unprecedented political crisis unfolds.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com