(MENAFN) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made an unanticipated appearance before a special investigation team on Wednesday, just hours before officials were scheduled to bring him in under a court-mandated warrant, according to a news agency.

Yoon, who is currently held in custody, showed up at the office of Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk to be questioned regarding claims that he tried to enforce martial law and authorized a "provocative" drone mission toward North Korea last year.

Assistant Special Counsel Park Ji-young stated that the decision to summon Yoon stemmed from a legal warrant issued on October 1.

As staff at the Seoul Detention Center were preparing to carry out the warrant early Wednesday, Yoon communicated his intention to comply voluntarily.

Previously, Yoon had failed to respond to formal summonses issued on September 24 and September 30, in which he was instructed to present himself before prosecutors.

Authorities are looking into assertions that Yoon directed drones to enter North Korean territory in October of last year, allegedly with the goal of provoking a military response that could be used to rationalize a declaration of martial law.

In addition, he is being investigated for alleged rebellion related to the martial law directive and has been in detention since his second apprehension on July 10.

Last month, Yoon attempted to secure bail, but the court denied his request.

In a related development, a Seoul court on Wednesday also declined to issue an arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who has been implicated in Yoon’s unsuccessful effort to implement martial law.

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