Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Re-arrested in Insurrection Probe Amid Evidence Concerns
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Re-arrested in Insurrection Probe Amid Evidence Concerns
SEOUL, South Korea – Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been taken back into custody after the Seoul Central District Court approved a re-arrest warrant early Thursday morning. The independent counsel leading the investigation into his controversial martial law declaration cited concerns over the potential destruction of evidence as the reason for his renewed detention.
Yoon’s re-arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing legal challenges faced by the former leader. He was initially detained in January 2024 on charges of leading an insurrection, a historic first for a sitting South Korean president. He was later released in March after his initial arrest warrant was canceled on technical grounds.
His presidency ended in April 2024, when the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled for his removal from office, citing his actions as a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust.” Since then, Yoon has faced multiple criminal investigations. He is currently facing charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties.
The independent counsel alleges that Yoon declared martial law in December 2023 in an attempt to overcome political gridlock and deployed troops to prevent lawmakers from overturning the decree. Accusations also include ordering the arrest of key political figures, such as the current President Lee Jae-myung, and attempting to obscure communication records from secure phones.
Yoon’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling the warrant request as “rushed and unjustified” and the entire investigation as “flawed and politically motivated.” They contend that most individuals involved have already been detained and are standing trial, suggesting that all relevant evidence has been secured and there is no risk of evidence being destroyed.
This re-arrest follows the establishment of independent counsel teams tasked with investigating Yoon after his removal from office and the subsequent snap presidential election of Lee Jae-myung in June 2024.
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