Yoon was apprehended on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged insurrection and abuse of power related to his brief declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) sought a court warrant on Friday for Yoon’s formal arrest before his 48-hour detention period expired.
Yoon Gap-geun, one of his legal representatives, said that the president would attend the pre-trial detention hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Seoul Western District Court.
If the court approves the warrant, Yoon will become the first sitting Korean president to be formally arrested while in office. The court’s decision is expected late Saturday or early Sunday.
If granted, the warrant would allow investigators to detain Yoon for up to 20 days before indictment.
Yoon reversed his earlier position to boycott the proceedings after meeting with his legal team earlier in the day.
"The president accepted his lawyers' advice that he should appear in court and respond with dignity," the attorney said.
He added that Yoon is especially concerned about the ministers, generals and police chiefs who were arrested in connection with the martial law operations.
“He wishes to restore his honor by explaining the legitimacy of the martial law declaration and refuting the charges of insurrection in court and at the Constitutional Court,” he continued.
Yoon’s legal team had initially said on Friday he would not attend the hearing, arguing that the arrest warrant filed by the CIO falls under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Central District Court.
Yoon is accused of illegally declaring martial law on Dec. 3 and deploying military and police forces to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.
The measure was rescinded six hours later after lawmakers voted against it. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec. 14.
The CIO argues that Yoon’s actions disrupted constitutional order and claims his detention is necessary to prevent evidence tampering or the risk of flight.
Yoon’s defense team disputes the charges, asserting that the martial law declaration was a legitimate exercise of presidential power in response to what they describe as a national emergency caused by opposition parties’ obstruction of state affairs and impeachment of cabinet members.
Yoon was apprehended at his official residence in Seoul on Wednesday and remained silent during an initial questioning session lasting about 10 hours. He has since been held at the Seoul Detention Center and continues to refuse further questioning by the CIO.
Officials said Yoon will be transported directly from the detention center to the courtroom, bypassing the customary photo line for criminal suspects.
Yoon will become the first sitting South Korean president to attend a pre-trial detention hearing, which was introduced in 1997.
Former President Park Geun-hye, who was accused of corruption and abuse of power, attended a warrant hearing in 2017 after leaving office.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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