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Update: South Korean court extends deadline to arrest President Yoon, No clear expiration date for the warrant.
South Korean investigators have officially requested an extension of the arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol following failed attempts to detain him.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in early December, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a late-night announcement, citing the need to overcome political deadlock and root out what he described as “anti-state forces.” This move shocked the nation, as it was widely seen as an authoritarian power grab. Within hours of the declaration, the National Assembly convened an emergency session and voted 190-0 to revoke the decree despite armed military personnel attempting to block lawmakers from accessing the chamber. The backlash was swift, with lawmakers from across the political spectrum condemning Yoon’s actions as a blatant violation of democratic norms. Just 11 days later, on December 14, the National Assembly impeached Yoon, suspending his presidential powers and triggering a constitutional court review of his fate. Ultimately, a court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, South Korea’s anti-corruption investigators confirmed that they have formally requested an extension of the arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, initially set to expire at midnight on Monday. Investigators cited Yoon’s refusal to comply with questioning and their inability to detain him as critical reasons for seeking the extension. Attempts to serve the warrant last Friday were thwarted when Yoon’s presidential security service guards formed a human chain around his residence, blocking investigators from gaining access.
Yoon’s legal team has argued that the CIO lacks authority under South Korean law to handle cases involving insurrection. This claim has led to the ongoing legal and political standoff. Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters have rallied outside his compound, vowing to protect him from arrest. This has led to dueling protests, with pro-Yoon demonstrators chanting slogans like “Stop the Steal,” while anti-Yoon groups demand his immediate detention and punishment.
