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Ruling party pivots to constitutional reform after Yoon’s arrest
The People Power Party on Sunday proposed constitutional reform as a pathway for a breakthrough to address the political turbulence triggered by the unprecedented arrest of sitting President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration. The ruling party on Sunday proposed revising the Constitution, attributing the recent insurrection to systemic flaws in South Korea’s existing imperial presidential system that concentrates excessive power in a single individual. Kwon Young-se, inte
Jan. 19, 2025 -
DP leader says violence at court 'inexcusable acts'
The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday denounced the violent clashes that erupted at the Seoul Western District Court from supporters of detained President Yoon Suk Yeol, calling them "inexcusable acts" that endanger the judicial system. DP leader Lee Jae-myung made the remark while referring to a group of protesters who stormed into the court in anger over the decision to formally arrest Yoon early Sunday for his failed martial law bid. "These are inexcusable acts whi
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Authorities vow stern response to violence at court after Yoon's arrest
Judge responsible for issuing Yoon's warrant to be under police protection from Monday morning Law enforcement agencies on Sunday condemned the violent protests at the Seoul Western District Court, the first-ever riot targeting the judiciary in South Korea, vowing to restore order and hold those responsible accountable. Sparked by the formal arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier in the day, the attacks have sent shockwaves through the country. After the court granted a warrant for Yoon’s ext
Jan. 19, 2025 -
President Yoon Suk Yeol formally arrested as criminal trial awaits
Yoon refuses CIO questioning on Sunday; ruling bloc objects to court-issued warrant A criminal trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges related to the martial law debacle looms large, as a South Korean court issued a warrant on Sunday to place him under arrest for up to six months. Forty-seven days after Yoon declared martial law to crack down on his political opponents whom he described as "anti-state forces" -- although no armed conflict with a foreign country had occurred -- the 64-year-ol
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Who will represent Korea at Trump’s inauguration amid stalled leader diplomacy?
South Korean lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, business leaders and local government leaders have converged in Washington, DC, for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Their goals are to address US concerns over South Korea’s political turbulence, ensure Korea's voice and position are reflected in Trump’s key foreign, security, economic and trade policies, and explore ways to strengthen strategic partnerships across sectors. This multilevel effort -- spanni
Jan. 19, 2025 -
How shocking attack on Seoul court unfolded
87 arrested early Sunday morning, as supporters of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol violently attacked authorities and broke into court building In a shocking turn of events, a court in South Korea was attacked starting at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday morning by hundreds of protesters who opposed the court's ruling that granted a formal arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 botched imposition of martial law. In an emergency leadership meeting held hours after 46 of the riote
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Acting President Choi voices strong regret over violence at court, orders thorough probe
Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Sunday expressed strong regret over the violence at a court following the court's decision to formally arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. "I strongly regret the violence that is unimaginable in a democratic society," Choi said in a statement. Cho ordered police to "sternly investigate the incident, which undermines democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the law and principles" and to "hold those responsible accountable." Choi also directed auth
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Senior politicians, business leaders head for Trump's inauguration ceremony
Senior politicians and business leaders have departed for the United States to attend Donald Trump's presidential inauguration ceremony, officials said Sunday. With Trump set to return to the White House, questions have been raised over whether South Korea can push for high-level engagement with the incoming US administration in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition and his subsequent impeachment. Seven lawmakers of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee,
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Anti-corruption agency requests Yoon to appear for questioning at 2 p.m.
A state anti-corruption investigation agency probing impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law case on Sunday requested that he appear for questioning later in the day, hours after a court approved his formal arrest. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said it has requested Yoon to appear for questioning at 2 p.m. Yoon was formally arrested earlier in the day after the Seoul Western District Court granted the arrest warrant requested by the CIO. The CIO, which ha
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Police apprehend 45 protesters for storming court in protest against Yoon's formal arrest
Police on Sunday apprehended 45 protesters on-site who stormed a court in an angry protest against a decision to formally arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid. Earlier in the day, the Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant for the president's extended detention, citing the risk of evidence destruction related to allegations of insurrection and abuse of power when he imposed martial law Dec. 3. In response, a group of protesters forcefully entered the court by
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Presidential office criticizes formal arrest of Yoon
The presidential office on Sunday criticized a court's decision to issue a warrant to formally arrest President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid. The court's decision came days after Yoon was detained for questioning over his Dec. 3 martial law decree, which has plunged South Korea into unprecedented political turmoil. Chung Jin-suk, Yoon's chief of staff, also appeared to defend the impeachment president's martial law bid, saying people would come to determine whether the declarati
Jan. 19, 2025 -
US voices 'firm' support for Korean people, appreciates Korea's efforts to act in line with Constitution after Yoon's warrant issuance
The United States on Saturday reiterated its "firm" support for the South Korean people and appreciated the Asian country's efforts to act in line with its Constitution, hours after a Seoul court issued a warrant to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for an extended period over his botched martial law bid. A State Department spokesperson issued a statement, reaffirming the "enduring" strength of the Seoul-Washington alliance and Washington's security commitment to South Korea. "The United States sta
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Court OKs continued detention of Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law fiasco
President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested on Sunday after a South Korean court issued a warrant that would put him in custody for up to six months as investigative authorities look into his martial law imposition in December. According to the Seoul Western District Court, Yoon's release from prison could result in the destruction of evidence. The ruling means Yoon, 64, will likely go through the booking process, including having his fingerprints and photograph taken as he becomes an inmate o
Jan. 19, 2025 -
Yoon attends court hearing to oppose formal arrest over martial law bid
South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a hearing at a Seoul court Saturday to oppose his potential formal arrest over his short-lived martial law decree last month, his lawyers said. Yoon has been in custody since his arrest Wednesday at his residence on charges of masterminding an insurrection and abuse of power, making him the first sitting South Korean president to be apprehended. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), leading a joint investiga
Jan. 18, 2025 -
Yoon to attend arrest warrant hearing to explain legitimacy of martial law at Seoul court
Legal representatives of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol said Saturday that Yoon has decided to attend a court hearing for an arrest warrant against him to explain the legitimacy of his short-lived martial law decree. Yun Gap-keun, one of Yoon's legal representatives, made the notification in a text message sent to reporters. The lawyer said Yoon made the decision to explain the legitimacy of the martial law declaration and restore his tarnished reputation as well after the botched martial law
Jan. 18, 2025