Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was rearrested Thursday after a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant linked to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court’s decision marks a significant development in the special prosecution team’s investigation into allegations that Yoon obstructed justice and abused his power during the December incident.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, the team argued during a seven-hour hearing on Wednesday for an arrest warrant based on five key charges. One allegation is that Yoon violated the rights of cabinet members by excluding some from a critical meeting prior to declaring martial law.
In a statement, the court said it granted the warrant due to concerns that Yoon might attempt to destroy evidence.
The 64-year-old was first arrested in January while still in office but released after 52 days due to procedural errors. He was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court, which upheld parliament’s December impeachment vote.
Yoon is already facing insurrection charges over his martial law decree — a crime that could result in a life sentence or even the death penalty.
