Seoul, South Korea — In a dramatic turn of events, prosecutors in the Republic of Korea have filed a second request to extend the detention of President Yoon Suk-yeol, following an earlier rejection by the Seoul Central District Court. The move comes amid an intensive probe into Yoon's attempted declaration of martial law last month, which has plunged the nation into a deepening political crisis.
On Saturday, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced their renewed effort to keep President Yoon in custody beyond the initial detention period. The office cited legal precedent affirming their right to conduct supplementary investigations on cases referred by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). \"We are exercising our recognized authority to ensure a thorough investigation,\" the prosecution stated in a press release.
The initial request for extended detention was made on Thursday after the CIO, having conducted its own investigation into Yoon's case, transferred it to the prosecution. However, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the request on the grounds that the prosecution's role was limited to deciding whether to indict the president, emphasizing the legal separation between investigation and indictment to maintain fairness.
Despite the setback, prosecutors are expected to proceed with indicting President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other related offenses this weekend. If the extension is granted, it will mark an unprecedented moment in South Korean history, with Yoon being the first incumbent president to be formally arrested and detained.
The legal saga began when a warrant was issued on January 19 to hold President Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, following his arrest at the presidential office on January 15. The arrest itself was historic, as it was the first time a sitting president in the Republic of Korea faced such measures.
The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charges, planning to question the impeached president over a period of ten days each. The cooperation between the two agencies underscores the gravity of the allegations facing Yoon.
President Yoon's troubles escalated after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him on December 14 of last year. The impeachment was delivered to the Constitutional Court, which is allotted up to 180 days to deliberate, during which time Yoon's presidential powers are suspended.
The controversy centers on Yoon's declaration of martial law on the night of December 3, which was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. Investigative agencies have identified Yoon as a suspected ringleader in an alleged insurrection attempt, raising serious concerns about the stability and integrity of the nation's leadership.
The unfolding situation has captivated global attention, with many observers watching closely to see how the Republic of Korea navigates this unprecedented political challenge. The outcome of the investigation and potential trial could have far-reaching implications for the country's democratic institutions and political landscape.
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
