South Korean prosecutors have requested an extension of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s detention until February 6 to continue their investigation, according to multiple media reports on Friday.
The special investigative headquarters submitted the request to the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday. The court is expected to decide on the extension soon.
A warrant allowing Yoon to be held in custody for up to 20 days was issued by a Seoul court on January 19. The prosecution is widely anticipated to indict the president on charges of insurrection and other offenses.
Yoon was arrested at the presidential office on January 15, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been detained. His arrest follows a motion of impeachment passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year, which was subsequently delivered to the Constitutional Court for deliberation. During this period, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended.
The president was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection case. He had declared martial law on the night of December 3, a move that was revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
