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Seoul Court Issues New Warrant Extending Detention of Ex-President Yoon by Up to Six Months

Judges pointed to a risk of evidence destruction in the case over alleged North Korea drone missions linked to the 2024 martial law bid.

Overview

  • The Seoul Central District Court approved an additional arrest warrant on Jan. 2, prolonging custody that was due to end on Jan. 18.
  • The order follows allegations that Yoon directed an October 2024 drone dispatch toward Pyongyang to provoke a military response used as a pretext for martial law.
  • He is under separate indictments that include aiding the enemy, abuse of power, and obstruction tied to the Dec. 3, 2024 declaration.
  • Trials are proceeding in different court divisions, with a verdict scheduled on Jan. 16 in an obstruction case and prosecutors seeking a 10-year sentence on that charge.
  • Investigators say he conspired with former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and ex-counterintelligence chief Yeo In-hyung, and this marks his third arrest since January 2025.