South Korean court dismisses arrest warrant request for ousted President Yoon
Warrant to be considered if Yoon Suk Yeol does not appear for questioning Saturday, special counsel says
South Korean President Yoon
ISTANBUL
A South Korean court on Wednesday rejected a request by prosecutors for a new arrest warrant for the ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to media reports.
The Seoul Central District Court "dismissed the request on the grounds that Yoon has expressed his willingness to comply with the special counsel's summons," Seoul-based Yonhap News reported, citing the special counsel team led by the Special Counsel Cho Eun-seok.
Cho, who is investigating Yoon's martial law decree on Dec. 3, had requested an arrest warrant for Yoon for obstructing official duties on Tuesday.
The team said that if Yoon "fails to appear, we will consider seeking a formal warrant."
Yoon was also promptly informed after the request was rejected to appear for questioning at 9 am (0000GMT) local time Saturday.
The prosecution had earlier said that Yoon failed to respond thrice to the police summons.
Yoon was ousted for his failed bid to impose martial law.
He was arrested and indicted for abuse of power and leading an insurrection in January, making him the first sitting president to be kept in custody.
Yoon was released from prison in March after a district court canceled his arrest and allowed him to stand trial without being physically detained.
