Seoul (South Korea) [India], July 10 (HBTV): A court in Seoul on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, placing him in custody for the second time, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Senior Judge Nam Se-jin of the Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrant at the request of special counsel Cho Eun-suk, citing concerns that Yoon might destroy evidence.

The special counsel’s team sought the warrant based on five key charges, including Yoon's alleged violation of the rights of Cabinet members by calling only a select few to a meeting held shortly before he announced martial law on December 3.

Yoon and his legal team were present during the hearing and denied all charges before he was taken to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang to await the court's decision.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon is accused of fabricating a false martial law declaration document after December 3 to lend legitimacy to his actions. The document was allegedly signed by then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and then Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun before being discarded.

Additional charges include Yoon's alleged instruction to the presidential spokesperson to distribute false statements denying his intention to disrupt the constitutional order, his alleged direction to the Presidential Security Service to obstruct his detention by investigators in early January, and his alleged order to delete call records from secure phones used by three military commanders.

This marks Yoon’s second arrest. He was first detained in January while still serving as President. The court later accepted his request for cancellation of the arrest and granted his release in March.

In May, Yoon announced his departure from the People Power Party (PPP), amid increasing calls within the party for him to sever ties. In a Facebook post, he wrote, ‘I am leaving the People Power Party today,’ adding, ‘Although I am leaving the party, I will continue to stand at the forefront to defend freedom and national sovereignty.’

He further urged voters to support the PPP’s presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, stating, ‘Please give your support to Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party. Make sure to cast your vote. Every single vote is a path toward safeguarding this country’s freedom, sovereignty and prosperity.’

(ANI)