A South Korean court has approved a new arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law-related charges.
The Seoul Central District Court granted the request early Thursday, July 10, 2025, citing risks that Yoon might destroy critical evidence.
Special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk filed the motion, arguing that Yoon obstructed justice and abused presidential powers during his final months.
This marks Yoon’s return to a detention center just four months after his March release from initial custody.
That earlier arrest, made in January, was overturned pending trial on rebellion charges stemming from his December 2024 actions.
Prosecutors now accuse Yoon of attempting to derail democratic governance by bypassing legal procedures to impose martial law.
The controversial decree, issued on December 3, 2024, was annulled within hours by lawmakers and military officials.
Lawmakers reconvened at the National Assembly despite Yoon’s orders, repealing the decree with military support.
Yoon’s legal team had called the latest arrest request “excessive” and “politically motivated.”
They have yet to issue a statement responding to the court’s final ruling.
Yoon was silent when he arrived for a seven-hour hearing on Wednesday and left under police escort.
Authorities allege he tried to seize the legislature and national election body using presidential security forces.
Prosecutors say he ordered loyal guards to block police from arresting him at the Blue House in January.
Those actions formed the basis of his January 26 indictment on rebellion and power abuse charges.
Under South Korean law, Yoon can be held for up to 20 days before formal indictment.
If indicted again, he could remain in custody for up to six months while awaiting trial.
The Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office in April, affirming his impeachment over the martial law crisis.
President Lee Jae Myung, Yoon’s political rival, authorized a sweeping investigation into the former president last month.
The probe covers not only Yoon but also his wife and top aides accused of misconduct.
Yoon maintains that the martial law was necessary to stop “anti-state” lawmakers obstructing his policy agenda.
South Korea now faces one of its deepest political crises since the country’s return to democracy.
