SEOUL (Kyodo) — Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was once again taken into custody Thursday over charges linked to his short-lived declaration of martial law late last year.
The Seoul Central District Court approved the latest arrest warrant against Yoon over fears he could destroy evidence. He was previously held in custody following his initial arrest in January, but was released in March after the same court overturned his detention.
Yoon was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld an impeachment motion submitted by the parliament over his imposition of martial law in December, which threw the nation into a months-long political crisis.
The criminal investigation is being handled by a special counsel team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun Suk. The probe was launched after Lee Jae Myung was elected president in June to replace Yoon.
Yoon is already standing trial over allegations that his declaration of martial law amounted to an insurrection, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death if convicted. He has denied the charges.
The conservative former president defended himself during a court hearing on Wednesday over whether to issue the latest arrest warrant, which includes charges such as obstruction of official duties and abuse of power.
Ex-South Korean leader Yoon held again over martial law declaration
