A court in Seoul is granting an application for an arrest warrant, saying there was 'concern' that Yoon might 'destroy evidence'.
A South Korean court has authorized the formal arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol for his decision to declare martial law last month.
Seoul's Western District Court on Sunday granted law enforcement's request for an arrest warrant for Yoon after an hour-long deliberation, saying there was “concern” that Yoon might “destroy evidence”.
Last Wednesday, Yoon became the first South Korean president to be arrested. South Korean investigators investigating Yoon for alleged rebellion asked a court in Seoul on Friday to extend his detention after he refused to be questioned.
Yoon and his lawyers appeared Saturday before the court judge at a hearing and argued for his release. His arrest could mark the start of a long period of detention for him, lasting months or more.
He faces possible treason charges related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, which triggered the country's worst political crisis since it was democratized in the late 1980s. .
The Office of Corruption Investigation for Senior Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with the police and the military, can now extend its detention to 20 days, when it transfers the case to public prosecutors for conviction.
Yoon's lawyers may also file a petition to challenge the court's arrest warrant.
