Prosecutors Renew Efforts to Extend President Yoon's Detention Amid Martial Law Investigation
South Korean prosecutors have made a renewed request to extend President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention beyond its initial period, following a Seoul court's rejection of their earlier plea. The move comes as part of an ongoing probe into President Yoon's alleged attempt to declare martial law last month.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated in a press release on Saturday that, 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. This justification was provided to explain their decision to file another request for extended detention.
The initial request was made on Thursday when the CIO, which had previously investigated President Yoon's 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 was to decide whether to indict the president.
According to South Korean law, the processes of investigation and indictment are separated to ensure fairness. Despite the court's decision, prosecutors are expected to indict President Yoon on charges of insurrection and other offenses this weekend while he remains in detention.
A warrant to keep President Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the arrest period, was issued by another court on January 19. This made him the country's first incumbent president to be formally arrested. The CIO and the prosecution have agreed to jointly investigate the insurrection charge by questioning the impeached president for ten days each.
President Yoon was apprehended at the presidential office on January 15, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested. His impeachment motion was passed by the National Assembly on December 14 last year and delivered to the Constitutional Court for deliberation of up to 180 days, during which his presidential powers are suspended.
Yoon Suk-yeol was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader in an insurrection plot after he declared martial law on the night of December 3 last year. The martial law declaration was revoked by the National Assembly just hours later.
The developments have plunged South Korea into a political crisis, with many citizens and international observers closely monitoring the situation. The outcome of the impending indictment and the Constitutional Court's deliberation will have significant implications for the country's political landscape.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Prosecutors seek to extend Yoon's detention after martial law probe
cgtn.com
