Latest news with #pro-NorthKorean
DW
10-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
South Korea's ex-President Yoon detained again – DW – 07/10/2025
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is back in a solitary cell after a court approved a new arrest warrant. He is facing an investigation over his declaration of martial law last year. South Korea's disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol returned to prison on Thursday as prosecutors investigate accusations of insurrection after he declared martial law last December. He is being held in a solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center, where he spent 52 days earlier in the year before his release four months ago on technical grounds. The Seoul Central District Court said it approved a second warrant because of concerns Yoon could seek to destroy evidence. Yoon triggered months of political turmoil in South Korea after declaring martial law in early December, and then sending armed soldiers to parliament in attempt to stop lawmakers from voting down his decree. He has also faced accusations that he authorized drone flights to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, to help justify his declaration, as well as of falsifying official documents relating to it. Yoon, 64, has said his decision to declare martial law was necessary to "root out" pro-North Korean and "anti-state" forces. But the Constitutional Court, which confirmed Yoon's impeachment on April 4, said his acts were a "betrayal of people's trust" and "denial of the principles of democracy." In January, he was detained in a dawn raid after weeks of resisting arrest, becoming the country's first sitting president to be taken into custody, but was released on procedural grounds in March. His present detention comes after he on Wednesday attended a warrant hearing that lasted about seven hours during which he rejected all charges. At the hearing, Yoon's legal team described the detention request by prosecutors as unreasonable and claimed that the ex-leader "no longer holds any authority" after his impeachment. Yoon faces criminal charges of insurrection over his martial law decree, which could carry a sentence of life in prison or death. Although South Korea still has capital punishment on the books, it has had a de facto moratorium on executions since 1998. At the same time, several dozen people are still technically on death row.
Business Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
South Korean court orders new arrest of disgraced ex-president Yoon
[SEOUL] A South Korean court early on Thursday approved a fresh arrest warrant for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and placed him in custody, days after special investigators renewed efforts to detain him over his failed martial law bid. Yoon was released from detention in March after the Seoul Central District Court overturned his January arrest, allowing him to stand trial for insurrection without being held in custody. In April, Yoon was formally removed from office after his impeachment was upheld by the country's Constitutional Court. South Korea's special counsel prosecutors on Sunday sought a new arrest warrant for Yoon on charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties, among others. Nam Se Jin, a senior judge at Seoul's Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Yoon over concerns that he could 'destroy evidence' in the case. Prosecutor Park Ji Young, a member of the special counsel, also told reporters: 'We've just checked and confirmed that the warrant has been issued.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The former president, 64, is already on trial for insurrection, personally appearing in court to contest the charges. However, Yoon has refused several summonses from a special counsel launched by parliament to investigate his martial law attempt, prompting prosecutors to seek his arrest on June 24. That request was initially denied after the court noted Yoon had since signalled a willingness to cooperate. But on Sunday, the special counsel filed a fresh warrant request, claiming his detention was deemed necessary. Yoon had attended a hearing on Wednesday that lasted about seven hours, during which he rejected all charges, before being taken to a detention centre near the South Korean capital. There, he waited for the court's decision in a holding room. Once the warrant was issued, Yoon was placed in a solitary cell at the facility, where he can be held for up to 20 days as prosecutors prepare to formally indict him including on additional charges. If formally indicted, Yoon could remain in custody for up to six months pending an initial court ruling. During the hearing, Yoon's legal team criticised the detention request as unreasonable, stressing that Yoon has been ousted and 'no longer holds any authority'. Earlier this month, the special counsel questioned Yoon about his resistance during a failed arrest attempt in January, as well as accusations that he authorised drone flights to Pyongyang to help justify declaring martial law. The former president also faces charges of falsifying official documents related to the martial law bid. Yoon has defended his martial law attempt as necessary to 'root out' pro-North Korean and 'anti-state' forces. But the Constitutional Court, when ousting Yoon from office on April 4 in a unanimous decision, said his acts were a 'betrayal of people's trust' and 'denial of the principles of democracy'. South Korea's current president, Lee Jae Myung, who won the June snap election, approved legislation launching sweeping special investigations into Yoon's push for martial law and various criminal accusations tied to his administration and wife. Lee inherited a nation deeply fractured by the political crisis triggered by Yoon, whose attempt to subvert civilian rule - which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament - sent shock waves through South Korean democracy. AFP
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
S.Korean court orders fresh arrest of ex-president Yoon over martial law bid
SEOUL: A South Korean court has issued a fresh arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, placing him back in custody amid renewed investigations into his failed martial law attempt. The decision comes after prosecutors argued that Yoon posed a risk of destroying evidence in the ongoing case. The Seoul Central District Court approved the warrant early Thursday, reversing Yoon's earlier release in March. The former leader, already on trial for insurrection, now faces additional charges, including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties. Special counsel prosecutors had sought the warrant on Sunday, citing Yoon's repeated refusal to comply with parliamentary summonses. Senior Judge Nam Se-jin ruled that detention was necessary to prevent potential tampering with evidence. Yoon, 64, attended a seven-hour hearing on Wednesday, denying all allegations before being transferred to a detention facility near Seoul. He will remain in solitary confinement for up to 20 days as prosecutors finalise formal charges. The former president's legal team criticised the arrest as unjust, arguing that Yoon, having been impeached and removed from office, no longer holds any authority. However, the Constitutional Court had previously condemned his actions as a 'betrayal of people's trust' and a 'denial of democracy.' Prosecutors are also investigating Yoon's alleged falsification of documents related to his martial law bid, as well as unauthorised drone flights to Pyongyang. Yoon maintains that his actions were necessary to counter pro-North Korean influences. Current President Lee Jae Myung, elected in June, has backed sweeping probes into Yoon's administration, inheriting a nation still reeling from the political crisis. - AFP
RTÉ News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
South Korea, court orders new arrest for ex-president Yoon
A South Korean court has approved a fresh arrest warrant for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and placed him in custody, days after special investigators renewed efforts to detain him over his failed martial law bid. Yoon was released from detention in March after the Seoul Central District Court overturned his January arrest, allowing him to stand trial for insurrection without being held in custody. In April, Yoon was formally removed from office after his impeachment was upheld by the country's Constitutional Court. South Korea's special counsel prosecutors on Sunday sought a new arrest warrant for Yoon on charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties, among others. Nam Se-jin, a senior judge at Seoul's Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Yoon over concerns that he could "destroy evidence" in the case. Prosecutor Park Ji-young, a member of the special counsel, also told reporters: "We've just checked and confirmed that the warrant has been issued." The former president, 64, is already on trial for insurrection, personally appearing in court to contest the charges. However, Yoon has refused several summonses from a special counsel launched by parliament to investigate his martial law attempt, prompting prosecutors to seek his arrest on 24 June. That request was initially denied after the court noted Yoon had since signalled a willingness to cooperate. But on Sunday, the special counsel filed a fresh warrant request, claiming his detention was deemed necessary. Yoon had attended a hearing today that lasted about seven hours, during which he rejected all charges, before being taken to a detention centre near the South Korean capital. There, he waited for the court's decision in a holding room. Once the warrant was issued, Yoon was placed in a solitary cell at the facility, where he can be held for up to 20 days as prosecutors prepare to formally indict him including on additional charges. If formally indicted, Yoon could remain in custody for up to six months pending an initial court ruling. During the hearing, Yoon's legal team criticised the detention request as unreasonable, stressing that Yoon has been ousted and "no longer holds any authority". Earlier this month, the special counsel questioned Yoon about his resistance during a failed arrest attempt in January, as well as accusations that he authorised drone flights to Pyongyang to help justify declaring martial law. The former president also faces charges of falsifying official documents related to the martial law bid. Yoon has defended his martial law attempt as necessary to "root out" pro-North Korean and "anti-state" forces. But the Constitutional Court, when ousting Yoon from office on 4 April in a unanimous decision, said his acts were a "betrayal of people's trust" and "denial of the principles of democracy". South Korea's current president, Lee Jae Myung, who won the June snap election, approved legislation launching sweeping special investigations into Yoon's push for martial law and various criminal accusations tied to his administration and wife. Lee inherited a nation deeply fractured by the political crisis triggered by Yoon, whose attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament, sent shock waves through South Korean democracy.
Int'l Business Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
S.Korean Court Orders New Arrest Of Disgraced Ex-president Yoon
A South Korean court early Thursday approved a fresh arrest warrant for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and placed him in custody, days after special investigators renewed efforts to detain him over his failed martial law bid. Yoon was released from detention in March after the Seoul Central District Court overturned his January arrest, allowing him to stand trial for insurrection without being held in custody. In April, Yoon was formally removed from office after his impeachment was upheld by the country's Constitutional Court. South Korea's special counsel prosecutors on Sunday sought a new arrest warrant for Yoon on charges including abuse of power and obstruction of official duties, among others. Nam Se-jin, a senior judge at Seoul's Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Yoon over concerns that he could "destroy evidence" in the case. Prosecutor Park Ji-young, a member of the special counsel, also told reporters: "We've just checked and confirmed that the warrant has been issued." The former president, 64, is already on trial for insurrection, personally appearing in court to contest the charges. However, Yoon has refused several summonses from a special counsel launched by parliament to investigate his martial law attempt, prompting prosecutors to seek his arrest on June 24. That request was initially denied after the court noted Yoon had since signaled a willingness to cooperate. But on Sunday, the special counsel filed a fresh warrant request, claiming his detention was deemed necessary. Yoon had attended a hearing on Wednesday that lasted about seven hours, during which he rejected all charges, before being taken to a detention centre near the South Korean capital. There, he waited for the court's decision in a holding room. Once the warrant was issued, Yoon was placed in a solitary cell at the facility, where he can be held for up to 20 days as prosecutors prepare to formally indict him including on additional charges. If formally indicted, Yoon could remain in custody for up to six months pending an initial court ruling. During the hearing, Yoon's legal team criticised the detention request as unreasonable, stressing that Yoon has been ousted and "no longer holds any authority". Earlier this month, the special counsel questioned Yoon about his resistance during a failed arrest attempt in January, as well as accusations that he authorised drone flights to Pyongyang to help justify declaring martial law. The former president also faces charges of falsifying official documents related to the martial law bid. Yoon has defended his martial law attempt as necessary to "root out" pro-North Korean and "anti-state" forces. But the Constitutional Court, when ousting Yoon from office on April 4 in a unanimous decision, said his acts were a "betrayal of people's trust" and "denial of the principles of democracy". South Korea's current president, Lee Jae Myung, who won the June snap election, approved legislation launching sweeping special investigations into Yoon's push for martial law and various criminal accusations tied to his administration and wife. Lee inherited a nation deeply fractured by the political crisis triggered by Yoon, whose attempt to subvert civilian rule -- which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament -- sent shock waves through South Korean democracy.
