Yoon's Side "Difficult to Accept Arrest Warrant Issuance... No Investigation Authority for the Corruption Investigation Office"

The legal team of President Yoon Seok-yeol, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the court on charges of being the ringleader of a rebellion, stated that they "find it absolutely unacceptable."

On the 31st, President Yoon's legal team said, "It is surprising that an arrest warrant was issued by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gongjicheo), which has no investigative authority."

The legal team added, "It is highly regrettable that the arrest warrant was requested from the Seoul Western District Court instead of the Seoul Central District Court, where the main trial is expected, as this goes against principles and precedents," and further stated, "As the sitting president, there are legitimate reasons for non-appearance, such as issues related to investigative authority, so it is difficult to accept that an arrest warrant was issued."

The legal team reiterated, "The arrest warrant and search and seizure warrant issued upon request by an investigative agency without investigative authority are illegal and invalid in violation of the law."

The joint investigation headquarters, composed of Gongjicheo and the police, announced that the court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon earlier that morning. The warrant reportedly specifies the charge against President Yoon as being the ringleader of a rebellion. The warrant is valid until January 6 of next year.

The joint investigation headquarters requested the arrest warrant from the Seoul Western District Court at midnight the previous day after President Yoon failed to respond to three prior summonses without any significant reply.