South Korean court issues fresh arrest warrant for former president Yoon

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The order extends former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeols detention, set to end on Jan 18, by a maximum of six months.

PHOTO: REUTERS

SEOUL - A South Korean court issued a fresh arrest warrant for ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol on Jan 2, extending the former leader’s detention while facing

charges linked to his 2024 attempt to impose martial law

Prosecutors indicted Yoon in November on several charges of aiding the enemy, alleging that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to strengthen his effort to declare military rule.

The arrest warrant for that case was set to expire on Jan 18, but the Jan 2 order extends it by a maximum of six months.

“The warrant was issued under concerns he could destroy evidence,” an official from the Seoul Central District Court told AFP.

Yoon has been in custody for months while several criminal trials take place.

He briefly suspended civilian rule in South Korea on Dec 3, 2024, prompting massive protests and a showdown in Parliament. He was

officially removed from office in April

Yoon became South Korea’s first sitting president to be taken into custody when he was

detained in January

He was released on procedural grounds in March while his insurrection trial continued, but

detained again in July

Prosecutors are also seeking a 10-year prison term for Yoon on obstruction of justice