A South Korean court approves an arrest warrant for President Yeon Suk-yeol

A South Korean court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yul, who was impeached and suspended from power over his decision to impose martial law on December 3, investigative authorities said.

The Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Bureau (CIO) confirmed that the Seoul Western District Court approved the arrest warrant requested by investigators examining Yoon’s imposition of martial law for a short period.

This is the first arrest warrant issued against a sitting president in South Korea, according to local media.

The IT director did not comment on the court’s justifications for issuing the arrest warrant. The court declined to comment.

It is not clear when or how the arrest warrant against Yoon will be executed. South Korea’s presidential security service said in a statement on Tuesday that it would handle the arrest warrant in accordance with due process.

The IT director said the court also approved a search warrant for Yoon’s home.

Previously, the police attempted to raid the presidential office as part of the investigation, but failed, because the Presidential Security Service blocked access to it.

Yoon faces a criminal investigation into possible charges of rebellion. Mutiny is one of the few charges against which the South Korean president does not have immunity.

Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, said on Tuesday that attempting to arrest a sitting president is inappropriate, Yonhap News Agency reported.