The joint investigation group – consisting of police, defense authorities and anti-corruption officials – is investigating Yoon due to his introduction of martial law earlier in December.
On Monday morning, local time, they announced that they had applied for an arrest warrant because Yoon had ignored three summonses to appear for questioning. He has also blocked authorities from conducting a search of his office.
Unclear if approved
It is still unclear whether the court will grant the application for an arrest warrant, or if Yoon can be forced to appear for questioning.
According to South Korean laws, places that could potentially be linked to military intelligence cannot be seized or searched without the consent of the responsible person, in this case Yoon Suk-Yeol. And it is unlikely that the former president will voluntarily leave his residence if he risks being detained.
It was on December 3 that Yoon declared a state of emergency with accompanying martial law, citing that the opposition was paralyzing the government's work. A few hours later, he was forced to back down after the decision was voted down in parliament.
Political chaos
Yoon apologized but was still forced out of the presidency. In mid-December, an impeachment process against him began. It is being driven by the Constitutional Court, which is scheduled to hold its next hearing on January 3, according to Yonhap.
The political chaos deepened last week when parliament voted to put his successor, Han Duck-Soo, on trial as well.
Corrected: An earlier version contained an incorrect formulation about the arrest warrant.
