Several aides to President Yoon Suk Yeol submit resignations

South Korea's corruption investigation agency has decided to issue an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, after he ignored three summonses for questioning.

Mr. Yoon addressed the nation from the presidential palace on December 12.

Yonhap News Agency on January 1 quoted Chief Prosecutor Oh Dong-woon of the Corruption Investigation Office of South Korea (CIO) as saying that he would issue a temporary arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol early next week.

Mr Oh urged the presidential security agency not to block the CIO's enforcement of the law. "A joint investigation team is discussing the matter and will carry out the order within the effective period," he said, referring to the court order.

A Seoul court on December 31, 2024, issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon on charges of masterminding the failed declaration of martial law on December 3, leading the rebellion and abusing power, making him the first sitting president of the country to face an arrest warrant. The court issued the warrant after Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning.

Mr. Oh stressed that the presidential security agency should cooperate in executing the arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon, warning that attempts to block it would be considered an abuse of power and obstruction of justice.

President Yoon's defense team earlier said they could not accept the arrest warrant, calling it "illegal and invalid," on the grounds that it was issued at the request of an investigative agency without jurisdiction.

In a related development, Mr. Yoon's senior aides submitted their resignations on January 1, one day after Acting President Choi Sang-mok appointed two Constitutional Court judges.

Those who expressed their intention to resign include presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk, national security adviser Shin Won-sik, policy chief Sung Tae-yoon and foreign policy adviser Chang Ho-jin, according to the South Korean presidential office.

The South Korean presidential office expressed regret over Mr. Choi's appointment, saying he had exceeded his authority.

By law, at least six justices need to vote to try Mr. Yoon’s impeachment, meaning the appointment of more justices would increase the likelihood of Mr. Yoon being tried. The court has six months to decide whether to remove or reinstate Mr. Yoon.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-tro-ly-cua-tong-thong-yoon-suk-yeol-nop-don-tu-chuc-185250101102057377.htm