In an unprecedented legal battle, South Korean prosecutors have made another request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention following an investigation into his attempted declaration of martial law last month. This move comes after a Seoul court rejected their initial request, highlighting the intensifying legal scrutiny surrounding the nation's leader.
On Saturday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced their renewed request to prolong President Yoon's detention, citing the prosecution's right to conduct supplementary investigations on cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). \"Based on precedent, our right to further investigate is recognized,\" the office stated in a press release, justifying their decision to pursue additional detention time.
The initial request to extend President Yoon's detention was made on Thursday, following the transfer of his case from the CIO to the prosecutors' office. However, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the request on Friday, ruling that the prosecution needed only to decide whether to indict the president, as investigation and indictment are legally separated to ensure fairness.
Despite the court's decision, prosecutors are determined to continue their probe into President Yoon's actions. They are expected to indict him on charges of insurrection and other offenses over the weekend. A detention warrant allowing authorities to keep the president in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued on January 19, marking the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has been formally arrested.
President Yoon's legal troubles stem from his declaration of martial law on the night of December 3 last year, an act 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 National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon on December 14, suspending his presidential powers while the constitutional court deliberates on the matter—a process that could take up to 180 days.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges, each questioning the impeached president for ten days. President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, becoming the first sitting president in the country's history to be arrested.
This unprecedented situation has plunged South Korea into political uncertainty, as citizens and international observers watch closely to see how the legal proceedings will unfold. The case raises significant questions about the separation of powers, the role of the judiciary, and the integrity of democratic institutions in the Republic of Korea.
As the legal battle continues, the nation awaits the prosecution's next move and the constitutional court's decision on President Yoon's impeachment. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for South Korea's political landscape and its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
