ANKARA

A special counsel on Sunday sought a warrant to arrest South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations related to his short-lived martial law declaration in December last year, local media reported.

Led by Cho Eun-suk, the independent counsel filed an arrest warrant request with the Seoul Central District Court against Yoon for alleged abuse of power, falsification of official documents, violation of the Presidential Security Act, and obstruction of special official duties, among other charges, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

The treason charge, however, was not included in the warrant.

This is the second such request by the prosecution, whose first arrest warrant request was rejected by the court late last month.

The counsel did not elaborate on specific reasons for the warrant request.

The counsel has conducted an intensive investigation into Yoon over insurrection and other charges since its launch last month.

The former president was summoned and underwent several hours of questioning on Saturday.

He has denied the allegations during in-person interrogations.

Yoon was ousted for his failed bid to impose martial law.

He was arrested and indicted for abuse of power and leading an insurrection in January, making him the first sitting president to be kept in custody.

Yoon was released from prison in March after a district court canceled his arrest and allowed him to stand trial without being physically detained.

*Writing by Aamir Latif