The first suspect in the case of the constitutional coup was arrested in South Korea

The Seoul Central District Court has issued an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on charges of involvement in last week's constitutional coup attempt at the request of prosecutors.

The ex-minister became the first to be officially arrested in this case, Yonhap reports, Ukrinform reports.

The court ruling said Kim played an important role in the coup attempt and abused his power to prevent the exercise of civil rights during martial law for six hours between December 3 and 4.

"The court has considered the materials provided by the prosecutor's office, which confirm the accusation of committing a serious crime and the fear that he (ex-minister - ed.) may destroy the evidence, and agrees with them," the judge said when issuing the warrant.

Prosecutors have already interrogated the former head of the defense department three times since he was taken into custody on Sunday. During questioning, Kim admitted that he was the one who suggested martial law to President Yun Seok-yeol, but maintained that his actions were neither illegal nor unconstitutional.

The formal arrest of the ex-minister will allow the prosecutor's office to speed up the investigation of charges against President Yun in the same case of a constitutional coup.

Under Korean law, the president is immune from prosecution while in office, unless he is suspected of attempting a coup.

Korean media also reported that early Wednesday morning, as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the imposition of martial law, law enforcement officers detained the national police chief and Seoul's police chief. Investigators must interrogate and release them within 48 hours, or request their arrest.

According to local legislation, the leader of a possible coup d'état may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and those who participated in the planning of the rebellion or played another important role in the attempt to implement it, depending on the degree of guilt, in addition to execution and life imprisonment may receive at least seven years of imprisonment.

As reported by Ukrinform, on Tuesday the National Assembly of Korea passed a draft law that provides for the creation of a position of permanent special adviser to investigate the sedition charges leveled against President Yun Suk-yeol due to his failed attempt to impose martial law.