"The request for Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest is related to allegations of abuse of power and obstruction of justice", Cho Eun-seok, the special prosecutor in charge of the investigation, said in a statement on 6/7.

Prosecutors questioned Mr. Yoon for several hours on 5/7. A spokesperson for the prosecution team declined to explain the reason for the arrest warrant request, stating that it would be explained during the proceedings for the court to decide whether to approve the request.

According to the legal team representing Mr. Yoon, the prosecutors did not provide credible evidence for their allegations. The lawyers said they "will explain to the court that the request for Mr. Yoon's arrest is unreasonable".

Former president Yoon Suk-yeol outside the Seoul prosecutor's office on 5/7. Photo: AFP

Former president Yoon Suk-yeol outside the Seoul prosecutor's office on 5/7. Photo: AFP

South Korean authorities appointed Mr. Cho as special prosecutor, leading a team of more than 200 prosecutors and specialists to investigate Mr. Yoon, a few days after Mr. Lee Jae-myung took office as president.

Mr. Yoon is accused of mobilizing his security detail to prevent South Korean authorities from arresting him last January. However, the court rejected the proposed arrest warrant after Mr. Yoon refused to appear in court.

South Korea's Constitutional Court ousted Mr. Yoon in April, after the National Assembly impeached him for declaring martial law in 12/2024. South Korean lawmakers scaled the walls of the parliament building and broke through security cordons to vote against the martial law declaration.

Mr. Yoon faces several charges, including masterminding a rebellion, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment. The former South Korean president denies all allegations.

Nguyen Tien (AFP, Reuters)