Seoul, South Korea—South Korean prosecutors have submitted a renewed request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention amid an ongoing investigation into his attempted imposition of martial law last month. This move comes after a Seoul court rejected their previous request, according to reports from Yonhap.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated in a press release that their right to conduct supplementary investigations on cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is recognized based on legal precedent. This explanation was provided to clarify the reasoning behind their renewed request.
Initially, the prosecution sought to extend President Yoon's detention on Thursday after the CIO, which had already investigated the 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 is to decide whether to indict the president.
Under South Korean law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness and impartiality. Despite the court's decision, prosecutors are expected to indict President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other related offenses this weekend.
A warrant authorizing the detention of President Yoon for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another court on January 19. This development marked the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has been formally arrested.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges, each allotting 10 days to question the impeached president. President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, further underscoring the unprecedented nature of the situation.
On December 14 of last year, the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon, which was then submitted to the Constitutional Court for deliberation. The court has up to 180 days to review the motion, during which time President Yoon's executive powers are suspended.
President Yoon is accused of declaring martial law on the night of December 3, a decision that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. Investigative agencies have named him as a suspected ringleader in an alleged insurrection plot.
The political turmoil surrounding President Yoon's administration has captured the nation's attention, raising questions about legal procedures and the balance of power within South Korea's democratic institutions.
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
