Former South Korean President Yoon Faces Court Hearing on Arrest Warrant

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a critical court hearing on July 9, 2025, at the Seoul Central District Court regarding a special prosecutor's request for his detention. The charges against Yoon include abuse of power, obstruction of justice, falsifying official documents, and interfering with the investigation into his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. The special counsel alleges Yoon mobilized presidential security to block his arrest and ordered the deletion of call records, while Yoon's legal team disputes the credibility of the evidence. Yoon was previously detained in January but released after 52 days on technical grounds, and this hearing could result in his re-detention amid concerns of him being a flight risk and potentially obstructing witnesses. The court is expected to announce its decision late on July 9 or early July 10, with Yoon present but reportedly not intending to make legal arguments during the session. His impeachment and removal from office earlier in 2025 followed the Constitutional Court's ruling on his martial law declaration, which had caused significant political turmoil in South Korea.