In a significant development on Saturday, a South Korean court denied a second request to extend the detention of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Multiple media outlets reported that the Seoul Central District Court rejected the prosecution’s plea, marking a critical moment in the ongoing legal proceedings against the sitting president.
The prosecution’s special investigative headquarters had sought to prolong President Yoon’s arrest, submitting their request early Saturday, just hours after their initial appeal was dismissed on Friday night. However, the court ruled that the prosecution lacked the authority to conduct further investigations into the case. The anti-corruption agency had already scrutinized the matter, leaving the prosecution solely responsible for deciding whether to indict President Yoon.
As the weekend unfolds, the prosecution is anticipated to indict President Yoon on charges including insurrection. If indicted, he would be the first incumbent president in South Korean history to face such charges while under detention.
President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, becoming the nation’s first sitting leader to be arrested. A separate Seoul court had issued a warrant on January 19 to detain him for up to 20 days, including the arrest period.
The political landscape has been tumultuous since the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon on December 14 of last year. The motion was forwarded to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, President Yoon’s executive powers are suspended.
Notably, President Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an alleged insurrection. He declared martial law on the night of December 3 last year, a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly hours later.
This unfolding situation marks a historic and uncertain chapter in South Korea’s political arena, capturing the attention of observers both domestically and internationally.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
