Seoul, South Korea — South Korean prosecutors have renewed their request to extend the detention of President Yoon Suk-yeol following a probe into his attempted imposition of martial law last month. This move comes after a Seoul court rejected their initial request on Friday, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced on Saturday that, based on legal precedent, they have the right to conduct supplementary investigations into cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). \"We believe it is essential to thoroughly investigate all aspects of this case to ensure justice is served,\" the office stated in a press release.
The initial request for an extended detention was made on Thursday after the CIO, which had already conducted its investigation into President Yoon's actions, transferred the case to the prosecutors' office. However, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the prosecution lacked sufficient grounds to continue investigating, emphasizing that their role was to decide whether to indict the president.
Under South Korean law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to maintain fairness. Despite the court's decision, prosecutors are expected to indict President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other offenses within the weekend.
On January 19, a warrant was issued by another court to keep President Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, marking the first time in South Korean history that an incumbent president has been formally arrested.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charge, each questioning the impeached president over a period of ten days. President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, making him the first sitting president to be arrested in the country's history.
The political turmoil began when the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon on December 14 of last year. The motion was subsequently delivered to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, President Yoon's presidential powers are suspended.
President Yoon is accused of being a ringleader in an insurrection attempt after he declared martial law on the night of December 3, an act that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
The unfolding events have plunged South Korea into a state of political uncertainty, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring the situation. The outcome of the prosecution's renewed request and the impending indictment will have significant implications for the country's democratic institutions and rule of law.
(With input from Xinhua)
Reference(s):
Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
