South Korea court sinks former president Yoon in fresh arrest order.

Former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol Placed in Custody After New Arrest Warrant

South Korea’s former leader, Yoon Suk‑Yeol, was moved into a solitary cell on Sunday after prosecutors issued a fresh arrest warrant. The request follows an earlier attempt to detain the former president over his failed martial‑law bid.

Judicial Background

• Yoon was relieved from detention in March when the Seoul Central District Court overturned his January arrest, allowing him to stand trial for insurrection without being held in custody.
• In April, he was officially removed from office after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, citing a “betrayal of people’s trust” and a “denial of the principles of democracy.”

New Arrest Warrant

On Sunday, the special counsel’s prosecutors sought a new warrant on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of official duties. Senior Judge Nam Se‑jin issued the warrant, warning that Yoon could “destroy evidence.”

Special Counsel Park Ji‑young confirmed that the warrant had been issued. The former president, 64, is already on trial for insurrection and personally appears in court to contest the charges.

Detention Procedure

• Yoon attended a hearing that lasted about seven hours, during which he rejected all charges before being taken to a detention centre near the capital.
• He awaited the court’s decision in a holding room. Once the warrant was issued, he was placed in a solitary cell where he can be held for up to 20 days while prosecutors prepare a formal indictment.
• If formally indicted, Yoon could remain in custody for up to six months pending an initial court ruling.

Legal Criticism

The former president’s legal team criticized the detention request as unreasonable, stressing that Yoon has been ousted and “no longer holds any authority.” The special counsel questioned Yoon about his resistance during a failed January arrest attempt and accused him of authorizing drone flights to Pyongyang to justify declaring martial law.

Additional Charges

Yoon also faces charges of falsifying official documents related to the martial‑law bid. He defended his attempt as necessary to “root out” pro‑North Korean and “anti‑state” forces. However, the Constitutional Court, in a unanimous decision on April 4, denounced his acts as a “betrayal of people’s trust” and a “denial of the principles of democracy.”

Political Context

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—saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament—sent shock waves through South Korean democracy.