South Korean court denies arrest warrant of opposition leader

By Anadolu staff

A South Korean court on Wednesday rejected a request to arrest the country's main opposition leader over graft charges.

According to Seoul-based Yonhap News, the decision by a local court in the country's capital averted the biggest crisis yet for the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party and former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.

A court judge quoted by Yonhap said it was "difficult to see" the need for Lee's arrest, considering the "degree to which the defendant's right to defense is needed" and concerns of the possible destruction of evidence.

Lee appeared in court on Tuesday following requests by prosecutors for his arrest.

This was the first time any opposition leader had attended a court hearing.

Following the verdict, Lee praised the judiciary for safeguarding the country's constitutional order.

"Again, I am deeply grateful to the judiciary for solidly safeguarding the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea and for its wise judgment," he said.

Last week, prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Lee shortly after he was taken to a hospital for treatment as his health had deteriorated during a hunger strike against President Yoon Suk-yeol's government.

The country's parliament later passed a motion moved by the government to arrest Lee on charges of alleged corruption.

Its passage shocked the opposition, which holds a majority in the National Assembly with 168 out of 298 lawmakers.

Prosecutors charged Lee with breach of trust and corruption, as well as alleged involvement in a company's illegal cash remittance to North Korea.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid