South Korea: Police consider filing arrest warrant for Yoon, raiding presidential residence in martial law probe

Police are considering filing an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol and raiding the presidential residence, as part of their investigation into insurrection charges against him over his botched bid to impose martial law, an official said Friday, Yonhap reports. 

The official at the National Office of Investigation's special investigation team made the remarks as Yoon has been booked as a suspect in investigations by the police, the prosecution and the anti-corruption body over his surprise martial law declaration on Dec. 3.

When asked about the possibility of filing an arrest warrant for Yoon, the official told reporters it is being considered internally.

The official said they are also looking into possibly conducting a search and seizure on Yoon's residence, filing a warrant to seize his communication records or asking him to appear for questioning.

On Wednesday, police officials attempted to enter the presidential office to search for material related to the martial law decree, but the security service refused to cooperate, with police being provided limited documents.

The official said the investigation team is looking into whether it could attempt another search with the same warrant or if it would need a new one.

A search and seizure warrant is usually effective for one week or a specified period once issued.

In his public address Thursday, Yoon rejected the insurrection charges against him and defended the martial law decree as an act of governance, vowing to fight until the "last moment."

Earlier, South Korean President placed under travel ban amid martial law probe as political turmoil deepens.