South Korean court dismisses arrest warrant for former president Yoon

A South Korean court on Wednesday dismissed an arrest warrant for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, a day after prosecutors sought to detain him for refusing to comply with an investigation into his failed bid to impose martial law.

Yoon was formally stripped of office in April after being impeached and suspended by lawmakers over a December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule in which armed soldiers were deployed to parliament.

The former president is already standing trial on insurrection charges, personally attending court to defend himself against the allegations.

But Yoon has refused several summonses issued by a special counsel formed by parliament this month to investigate the martial law declaration, leading to his arrest being sought on Tuesday.

In a statement released Wednesday night, the special counsel said that Seoul Central District Court had dismissed the warrant based on Yoon's willingness to comply with the summons "if requested".

"Accordingly, the special counsel immediately issued a notice to former president Yoon and his legal counsel, requesting his appearance at 9:00 am on June 28," the statement continued.

Yoon's legal team, which slammed the warrant as "excessive", said their client would nonetheless appear as requested.

"The rejection of the arrest warrant is a warning to law enforcement authorities who conduct unlawful investigations," they said in a statement.

"We express deep concern that this excessive and procedurally flawed attempt to secure an arrest warrant amounts to an unjust effort to humiliate and tarnish the reputation of a former president," the statement continued.

"Nevertheless, former president Yoon Suk Yeol will appear before the special counsel this Saturday as requested, and face the investigation with confidence."

Separately on Wednesday, the court issued a new arrest warrant for Yoon's former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, on fresh charges of obstructing official duties.

Kim is currently on trial and in custody for insurrection, accused of recommending martial law to the former president and drafting the decree.