South Korean court issues arrest warrant for Yoon

But it is unclear if police and investigators probing his martial law bid can execute it

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SEOUL - A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, investigators said on Dec 31, over his short-lived bid to impose martial law on the country.

Mr Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule earlier in December, plunging South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.

He was stripped of his presidential duties by Parliament over the action, but a Constitutional Court ruling is pending on whether to confirm the impeachment.

"The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning," the Joint Investigation Headquarters said in a statement.

The conservative leader faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Investigators probing Mr Yoon over his declaration of martial law requested the arrest warrant on Dec 30 after the suspended President failed to report for questioning a third time.

"The reason for the warrant is that there is a concern that the individual may refuse to comply with summons without justifiable reasons, and there is sufficient probable cause to suspect the commission of a crime," a Corruption Investigation Office official told reporters at a briefing on Dec 31.

"The warrant is valid until Jan 6," the official said, adding that Mr Yoon could be held at a police station or the Seoul detention centre.