Arrest Warrant for Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung Denied

The arrest warrant for former Prosecutor General Shim Woojung was denied by the Seoul Central District Court on the 16th. The court determined that there was not sufficient evidence of concern over destruction of evidence, and that the possibility of flight was also low. Former Prosecutor General Shim is accused of directing others to give up an immediate appeal in connection with the release of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and of cooperating with a request to dispatch personnel to the Joint Investigation Headquarters after the declaration of martial law. The special counsel sought an arrest warrant on charges of participation in important duties related to insurrection and abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights. With this denial, the special counsel again failed to secure custody of a key suspect. There are also views that it could affect the bill under discussion in the National Assembly to extend the special counsel investigation period.