Investigative Body to Seek Court Warrant to Arrest South Korean President
SEOUL, Dec 29 – President Yoon Suk Yeol has refused to appear for questioning in the investigation into his botched martial law imposition, raising the likelihood that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) will file a court warrant for his arrest.
Repeated Refusal to Cooperate
This marks the third summons that Yoon has snubbed, ignoring previous requests on December 18 and Christmas Day. The CIO handling the case said Yoon had not turned up at its office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, at 10 am as requested by the agency.
Three Summonses a Maximum
With Yoon’s repeated refusal, the CIO is widely expected to seek a court warrant to arrest the president. Three summonses are typically considered the maximum before an investigative agency seeks an arrest warrant against a suspect.
Unprecedented Move
If the CIO seeks a court warrant to arrest Yoon, it would be an unprecedented move against a sitting president in South Korea. The CIO’s chief, Oh Dong-woon, has said that the agency would send an official document to warn the presidential office if the presidential security service obstructs a proceeding to arrest Yoon.
Public Statement
On December 7, four days after his failed martial law bid, Yoon said in a public address that he would not avoid legal and political responsibility for his botched imposition of martial law.
Uncertainty Surrounds Potential Arrest
Still, it remains to be seen whether a court would issue a warrant to arrest Yoon.
Conclusion
The investigation into President Yoon’s botched martial law imposition continues to unfold, with the CIO set to seek a court warrant to arrest the president. The potential consequences of this unprecedented move remain uncertain, and it is unclear whether a court would issue a warrant to arrest Yoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)?
A: The CIO is an investigative body responsible for handling cases involving high-ranking government officials in South Korea.
Q: Why has President Yoon refused to appear for questioning?
A: Yoon has refused to appear for questioning in connection with the investigation into his botched martial law imposition.
Q: What would happen if the CIO seeks a court warrant to arrest President Yoon?
A: If the CIO seeks a court warrant to arrest Yoon, it would be an unprecedented move against a sitting president in South Korea.