In an unprecedented move, South Korean prosecutors are pushing to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention amid an ongoing investigation into his failed martial law declaration last month. This marks a significant chapter in South Korea's political landscape, as Yoon is the first sitting president to face formal arrest in the nation's history.
On Saturday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office filed a second request to prolong President Yoon's detention after their initial plea was rejected by the Seoul Central District Court. \"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,\" the office asserted in a press release.
The court had previously ruled that the prosecution lacked sufficient grounds to continue investigating Yoon's case, suggesting that their role was limited to deciding on an indictment. South Korean law mandates a separation between investigation and indictment to uphold fairness in legal proceedings.
Despite the setback, prosecutors are expected to indict Yoon this weekend on charges of insurrection and other related offenses. Earlier, on January 19, a court issued a warrant allowing Yoon's detention for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, following his apprehension at the presidential office on January 15.
The charges stem from Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law on the night of December 3 last year, a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. The declaration sparked widespread concern and was considered by many as an attempt to undermine democratic processes.
The National Assembly responded by passing a motion to impeach Yoon on December 14. The impeachment motion was then forwarded to the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to deliberate. In the interim, Yoon's presidential powers have been suspended.
The case has seen a collaborative effort between the CIO and the prosecution, who agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charge by questioning the impeached president for ten days each. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely, reflecting on its commitment to democratic principles and 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
