On Wednesday (June 25), a South Korean court declined a request to issue an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is under investigation for a failed attempt to impose martial law, according to his legal team. The special prosecutor leading the case had asked the court on Tuesday to approve the arrest, as the probe into Yoon’s controversial actions intensified following his removal from office. The Seoul Central District Court and the prosecution office have not yet commented publicly on the decision.

A senior investigator involved in the case stated that the warrant was sought on obstruction charges, accusing Yoon of ignoring summonses for questioning. Yoon's lawyers condemned the request, arguing the summons was based on flimsy and politically motivated grounds. However, they confirmed that Yoon intends to comply with a new summons and will appear for questioning on Saturday. According to Yonhap News Agency, the special prosecutor has indicated they may file another arrest request if Yoon fails to appear as promised.

Yoon is already on trial for insurrection over the December 3 declaration of martial law, a charge that carries the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty. He was initially arrested in January after resisting detention but was released after 52 days due to procedural issues. Yoon maintains that the martial law declaration was a necessary warning against what he viewed as threats to democracy from the then-opposition Democratic Party.

The special prosecutor was appointed shortly after President Lee Jae-myung, a liberal, took office on June 4 following a snap election triggered by Yoon’s ouster in April. The prosecutor has assembled a team of over 200 to handle ongoing investigations into Yoon’s actions. In a related case, the court approved a request to extend the detention of former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, citing fears he might tamper with evidence. Kim, who was instrumental in proposing and organizing the martial law plan, is currently on trial for insurrection. He denies the allegations, claiming the move was a response to concerns over opposition influence and potential election fraud.