South Korean prosecutors on Saturday filed a renewed request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention, following their ongoing investigation into his attempted imposition of martial law last month. This move comes after a Seoul court rejected their initial request the previous day.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated in a press release that, based on precedent, the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations on cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is recognized. This justification underscores their decision to submit another extension request.
The prosecution's first request for an extension was made on Thursday when the CIO, having completed its investigation into President Yoon's case, transferred it to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the prosecution had insufficient grounds to continue the investigation, noting that their role was solely to decide whether to indict the president.
Under South Korean law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness. Despite the court's ruling, prosecutors are anticipated to indict President Yoon while he remains in detention on charges of insurrection and other related offenses this weekend.
A warrant allowing for President Yoon's custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another court on January 19. This marked a historic moment as Yoon became the first incumbent president in South Korea to be formally arrested.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges by questioning the impeached president for ten days each. President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, further cementing his status as the nation's first sitting president to face arrest.
The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon on December 14 last year. The motion has been forwarded to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, President Yoon's executive powers are suspended.
President Yoon is suspected of being the ringleader behind an insurrection attempt, having declared martial law on the night of December 3 last year. The martial law declaration was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly only hours later.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
