Yoon's defence team files injunction against detention warrant for impeached president

Earlier the Seoul Western District Court approved a request from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to issue the warrant for Yoon on charges of masterminding the botched Dec 3 martial law declaration, orchestrating the insurrection and abusing power, according to the CIO.

The court also approved a warrant to search Yoon's presidential residence in Seoul's Yongsan in connection with the investigation.

Yun Gap-geun, one of Yoon's legal representatives, said the arrest and search warrants issued upon request by the CIO are "illegal and invalid" because the CIO has "no investigative rights" on charges of insurrection.

"It is shocking and difficult to accept that a warrant requested by an agency that has no investigative rights was issued," Yun told reporters. "It is clear that the current detention warrant is illegal. (We) regret the court decision."

Yun said the defense team filed for an injunction with the Constitutional Court to suspend the warrant's effect, as well as request the top court review the constitutionality of the warrant.

"(The warrant) contradicts the constitutional principle that a president's actions as head of state are not subject to judicial review," Seok Dong-hyeon, another of Yoon's defence lawyers, said earlier.

The CIO filed for the detention warrant after Yoon ignored all three summonses to appear for questioning over the short-lived martial law invocation.

Yun defended Yoon's rejection of the summonses, saying investigators did not consult with them to coordinate an appearance by the president.

"(He) is not receiving preferential treatment because he is a person of power, rather he is suffering disadvantages," the lawyer said.

Yun also said there was no reason for Yoon to avoid an investigation, saying he plans to face any investigative authorities "confidently" and "by law" if they follow legal procedures.

Yoon will make his stance over his declaration of martial law at an "appropriate" time, the lawyer said, adding he will likely appear at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court at least once.

-- BERNAMA