South Korean prosecutors have submitted a new request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention following a Seoul court's rejection of their initial appeal. The move comes amid an ongoing investigation into Yoon's alleged attempt to impose martial law last month, as reported by Yonhap.
In a press release, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated that, based on precedent, they have the right to conduct supplementary investigations into cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). This justification underpins their renewed request to prolong the president's detention.
The prosecution's first bid to extend Yoon's detention was made on Thursday after the CIO, having completed its own investigation, transferred the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. However, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the request, noting that the prosecution's role was to decide on indicting Yoon rather than continuing the investigation.
By law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness. Despite this, prosecutors are expected to indict Yoon while he remains in detention on charges of insurrection and other offenses as early as this weekend.
A warrant authorizing Yoon's detention for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued on January 19, marking the first time an incumbent South Korean president has been formally arrested. Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, making him the first sitting president in the country's history to face arrest.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges by questioning the impeached president for ten days each. Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended since December 14 of last year when the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him. The constitutional court is set to deliberate on the impeachment for up to 180 days.
The controversy centers around Yoon's declaration of martial law on the night of December 3, which was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. Investigative agencies have named him as a suspected ringleader in the alleged insurrection plot.
This unprecedented situation has plunged South Korea into political uncertainty, with citizens and international observers watching closely as events unfold. The next steps taken by the prosecution and the constitutional court will be pivotal in determining the country's immediate political future.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
