A South Korean court on Thursday issued a fresh arrest warrant for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, granting prosecutors the authority to compel his appearance for questioning after multiple failed summons.
The warrant, issued at the request of the special counsel’s office, comes amid ongoing investigations into Yoon’s alleged attempt to subvert civilian rule during his presidency, as well as several separate corruption allegations involving him and his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
“An arrest warrant has been issued today for former president Yoon Suk Yeol,” the special counsel said in a statement, noting that the decision followed his continued refusal to cooperate with investigators probing alleged election interference.
Yoon first made history in January as the country’s first sitting president to be taken into custody after defying a summons related to his December 3 attempt to impose martial law. He reportedly deployed military personnel to the National Assembly in an effort to block lawmakers from overturning his decree. The unprecedented move plunged the country into political turmoil and triggered widespread condemnation.
After resisting arrest for several weeks—using his presidential security team to prevent investigators from reaching him—Yoon was eventually detained. He was later released on procedural grounds in March, though his trial on insurrection charges continued. Authorities re-arrested him in early July, citing concerns he could tamper with evidence.
In the latest development, prosecutors say Yoon failed to honor a summons for questioning tied to alleged tampering in recent parliamentary elections. His legal team cited medical reasons for his absence, but prosecutors moved forward with a renewed warrant request on Wednesday.
With the new arrest warrant now approved, prosecutors are expected to enter Yoon’s detention facility and ensure his compliance with the investigation.
Meanwhile, Yoon and his wife face separate legal scrutiny in a corruption case. Prosecutors are examining claims that Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman with alleged ties to the couple, received high-value gifts—including a diamond necklace and a luxury handbag—from a senior Unification Church official, which were then passed on to Kim Keon Hee.
The legal challenges facing the former first couple mark a dramatic fall from grace and have intensified political tensions nationwide, with observers warning of long-lasting implications for South Korea’s democratic institutions.
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